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As you get older, you may be looking for government benefits to meet your needs. Benefits.gov is here to help you find benefits you may be eligible for. There are many government programs available to help elderly people. In this article, we will review benefits that can help you pay for medical expenses, food, and other items.

Medicare and Health Care Options

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older. It is one the largest health care benefits in the U.S. with over 65 million people enrolled. You are eligible to sign up three months before you turn 65. Medicare has four parts (A, B, C, D) which cover hospital costs, doctors’ visits, medical equipment, prescription drug costs, and more. To see if you are eligible, take the Medicare Eligibility Questionnaire.

Are you stressed about added health care costs like deductibles? The Social Security Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) help low-income people pay their Medicare premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Check if you are eligible by using the U.S. Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool.

Getting prescriptions filled is important for keeping good health as you get older. Medicare Prescription Drug Plans can help you cover the cost of your prescription drugs. This includes most recommended shots or vaccines.

For more information about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

Is Supplemental Security Income Right for You?

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program gives monthly payments to people 65 and older who have limited income and resources. Your eligibility is determined using your age, income level, citizenship status, location, and marital status. This program does not require Social Security credits which are earned by working and paying Social Security taxes.

You can apply for SSI on SSA’s application page.

Importance of Food and Nutrition as You Age

Making smart decisions with your food and nutrition habits can help keep you healthy. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program gives eligible low-income individuals and families nutrition benefits to help them purchase food.

Did you know that SNAP enrollment among older adults is associated with fewer hospital visits and long-term care admissions? Enrolling in SNAP is a step towards living a healthier lifestyle. To receive SNAP benefits, you must apply in the state you live in and meet certain income limits.

Visit SNAP’s eligibility page to learn more.

More Resources to Consider

• Browse our Social Security and Retirement category of benefits to find more resources not mentioned in this article.
• Take the Benefit Finder to receive a list of benefits you may be eligible for based on your answers to a questionnaire. It takes about 10-30 minutes to complete and is confidential. You can save your benefit results list at the end by printing or emailing it to yourself.
• Read our Resources for Seniors user guide, which has even more benefits for seniors.
• Subscribe to our Compass Newsletter to get benefit updates and news articles that are relevant to you!