How to get free financial assistance for seniors with low income – Senior financial assistance can help retirees cover their monthly expenses at a time when many of them are struggling to make ends meet. A variety of programs are available on a local and national level.
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Financial assistance for seniors
There are many programs that provide financial assistance or free money to seniors, but they all have different rules for eligibility. It is possible that older people receive financial assistance in the form of meals or reduced service fees, rather than money as part of a program. A senior with a low income is generally considered to make under $30,000 per year.
HUD Housing Assistance for Low Income Seniors
With the help of the U.S. Department of Housing and Development, or HUD, qualified low-income seniors can receive subsidized housing in apartment buildings across the country. Those who qualify for HUD housing must pay no more than 30 percent of their income towards their rent. HUD-subsidized housing is available to seniors age 62 and older who meet income requirements specific to the local area they reside in.
Reverse mortgage financial help for the elderly
Some homeowners may qualify for a reverse mortgage based on the amount of equity in their homes. Unlike traditional mortgages, reverse mortgages have very different characteristics. An owner can borrow money from the bank in one lump sum or in monthly payments. A borrower does not repay the loan until the house is sold or the borrower dies. If the loan is not repaid, the home goes to the lender, or the heirs can pay off the loan and keep the home. Reverse mortgages are only available to seniors who have lived in their homes for at least part of the year and are at least 62 years old.
Financial assistance for food insecure seniors Through Snap
In the past, it was known as the Food Stamp Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP . Seniors who qualify can purchase food with SNAP funds. Although each state may use a different name for the program, SNAP is its federal name.
Meals on Wheels food assistance to seniors
There is a Meals on Wheels program in your area listed on the main Meals on Wheels website . More than one million seniors qualify for meals each day at the approximately 5,000 local services. For seniors with limited mobility, meals are delivered to their homes or served in senior centers, depending on their needs. Both kinds of services are available from many groups.
Utilities and fuel Financial assistance for seniors
Various local and state governments provide assistance with various costs of living, including:
- Energy
- Fuel
- accommodation
- Juridical services
- Medical care
- Taxes
- Telephone service
Depending on your own state, you can find out more about these programs by contacting the Office on Aging – Department of Community Services. A good example of the services offered is found in the Hartford County, Maryland , Office on Aging Department.
Prescription financial assistance to senior citizens for the purchase of prescription drugs
Seniors and other patients without prescription drug coverage can obtain medication for a nominal cost or for free through the Alliance for Prescription Assistance. Alliance for Prescription Assistance partners with:
- Drug manufacturers
- and health insurance companies
- Medical professionals
- Non-profit organizations
- offering patient and senior support
As well as finding free or low-cost clinics, the Alliance for Prescription Assistance provides referral services.
Programs That Offer Financial Hardship Assistance for Seniors
Here are some programs that offer financial assistance or help seniors keep their money in their wallet.
National Shared Housing Resource Center
An innovative shared housing program that pairs seniors with roommates is the National Shared Housing Resource Center. It is mutually beneficial for everyone involved for the older person to provide housing for a person who pays for housing, helps with daily chores (or both), making it a mutually beneficial program for all. Seniors are given the help they need to stay out of assisted living facilities.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs are offered by the US Department of Health and Human Services as a means of helping low income households pay their energy bills. Low-income customers or seniors may also be eligible for senior discounts or lower energy bills through most local energy companies.
Seniors community service employment program
The Employment Program Community Services for the Elderly is a United States Department of Labor program that allows older unemployed individuals who fall under the poverty line to receive job training in a public or nonprofit organization. This program also offers job search assistance.
Need Meds Medications for the needy Seniors
The nonprofit organization Needy Meds provides a comprehensive database of healthcare resources to assist you in meeting your financial obligations for healthcare expenses. They provide unbiased assistance to seniors who are struggling to pay medical bills. In addition to offering prescription drug discount cards, Needy Meds offers an income-based prescription drug program.
Financial Hardship for seniors
More than 7 million Americans 65 and over live below the poverty line, according to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Elderly people can still suffer financially even though they don’t live at or below the poverty level. A large number of low- and moderate-income retirees are also struggling to pay their bills, buy medicine, and feed themselves.
Local Financial assistance for Seniors
Find out more about financial assistance for elderly people in your area by contacting the Office of Aging Aid in your area, or by visiting your local senior center. Finding and qualifying for local programs may take some time, but the financial savings could be substantial. A good place to start researching local benefits is AARP’s database of state-specific programs to help seniors.
