💙 Resource for Senior Benefits Budget Seniors – Your Guide to Government Benefits & Assistance Millions of older adults miss out on benefits simply because they don’t know they’re eligible. We’re here to help you discover and access the government programs, grants, and assistance you deserve. Did you know? The average senior can save over $6,200 annually through available benefits programs. Many seniors qualify for multiple programs including Medicare Savings Programs, SNAP benefits, housing assistance, and more. 📢 2026 COLA Update: 2.8% Benefit Increase Now in Effect Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries are receiving higher payments in 2026. The average retiree sees about $56 more per month. SSI recipients saw increased payments starting December 31, 2025. 🆕 New for 2025-2028: Seniors 65+ can claim up to $6,000 in bonus tax deductions under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act! 📞 Essential Contact Numbers Medicare 1-800-633-4227 TTY: 1-877-486-2048 Available 24/7 For Original Medicare claims, premiums, coverage questions Social Security 1-800-772-1213 TTY: 1-800-325-0778 Mon-Fri, 8am-5:30pm ET Retirement, disability, Medicare enrollment Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116 Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm ET Connect to local services, meals, transportation, home care Benefits HelpLine 1-800-794-6559 Business hours NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp support specialists 💬 Live Chat Support Available Need help right now? Chat with our benefits specialists Get personalized assistance navigating government programs and benefits Start Your Conversation Specialists Available Now Our team is ready to help you find and apply for benefits. Average response time: under 2 minutes Available Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm ETAfter hours? Leave a message and we’ll respond within 24 hours 🎯 Start Your Benefits Check Today! Over 2,000 federal, state, and local benefit programs are waiting for you. Use the free tools below to discover what you qualify for in just minutes. Find Your Benefits Now Free, confidential screening tools to help you save thousands BenefitsCheckUp® Benefits.gov Eldercare Locator 🏛️ Major Government Programs 💊 Healthcare Assistance Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) — Updated for 2026 QMB: Covers Parts A & B premiums, deductibles, copays (income under $1,350/month) SLMB: Covers Part B premiums (income under $1,616/month) QI: Part B premium assistance (income under $1,816/month) Extra Help: Prescription drug savings (~$5,700/year value). Copays capped at $5.10 generic / $12.65 brand-name Medicaid: Comprehensive health coverage for 7.2 million low-income seniors Medicare Part B Premium (2026): $202.90/month 🍎 Food & Nutrition SNAP: Monthly food benefits for eligible seniors CSFP: Free monthly food packages for seniors 60+ (income ≤185% FPL) Senior Farmers Market: Fresh produce vouchers at farmers markets Meals on Wheels: Home-delivered nutritious meals Congregate Meals: Free/low-cost meals at senior centers 🏠 Housing Assistance Section 202: Supportive housing for elderly 62+ with low income Housing Choice Vouchers: Rental assistance (pay 30% of income) Public Housing: Affordable apartments for low-income seniors LIHEAP: Help with heating/cooling energy bills Weatherization Program: Free home energy improvements Home Repair Grants: Fix safety hazards at 1% interest over 20 years 💰 Income Support Social Security: Retirement benefits (max $5,181/month at age 70 in 2026) SSI: Cash assistance for low-income seniors 65+ (up to $994/month) FERS: Federal employee retirement system SCSEP: Job training & employment for seniors 55+ Senior Tax Deduction: NEW $6,000 bonus deduction for 65+ (2025-2028) NEW Tax Credits: Credit for elderly/disabled ($3,750-$7,500) 🚗 Transportation Discounts Public Transit: 50% fare discount for seniors 65+ on most systems Free Transit: Some cities (Chicago, etc.) offer free senior rides GoGoGrandparent: Concierge service for Uber/Lyft without smartphone Paratransit Services: Door-to-door service for mobility-limited seniors Medicaid Transportation: Medical appointment rides covered Volunteer Driver Programs: Faith-based & nonprofit transportation ⚖️ Legal & Counseling Legal Services Corp: Free legal assistance nationwide Senior Legal Hotlines: Free telephone legal advice by state SHIP: State Health Insurance Assistance (1-877-839-2675) Area Agencies on Aging: Local resource connections Elder Abuse Protection: Advocacy and legal support Free Tax Help: IRS Tax Counseling for Elderly (TCE) program 💡 Additional Services & Discounts 🔌 Utility Bill Assistance Utility Discounts: Many cities offer 10-20% off water/electric for seniors 65+ LIHWAP: Water & wastewater bill assistance Lifeline Program: $9.25 monthly credit on phone bills Georgia Power: Income-qualified discount for households under 200% FPL Connection Fee Waivers: Free utility hookups for qualifying seniors 🏥 Health & Wellness Dental Lifeline Network: Free dental care through volunteer dentists Vision Care: State programs for eye exams and glasses Hearing Aids: State assistance programs and AARP discounts iCanConnect: Free equipment for seniors with vision/hearing loss PACE: Medical & social services for frail seniors living at home Negotiated Drug Prices: 10 medications now at lower Medicare-negotiated prices NEW 📋 Tax Relief Programs — 2026 Updates Senior Bonus Deduction: NEW $6,000 deduction ($12,000 for couples), income limits apply NEW Higher Standard Deduction: Extra $2,050 (single) or $1,650/spouse (married) if 65+ Standard Deduction 2026: $16,100 (single) / $32,200 (married filing jointly) Property Tax Exemptions: State/local discounts for senior homeowners Free Tax Preparation: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide for seniors IRS Tax Counseling: Free help from IRS-trained volunteers 👥 Social & Volunteer AmeriCorps Seniors: Community service opportunities for 55+ Foster Grandparents: Paid volunteer mentoring children Senior Companions: Visit isolated seniors, earn stipend Friendly Visitor Programs: Social interaction with volunteers Adult Day Care: Recreation, meals, supervision during day 🎓 Employment & Training American Job Centers: 2,500+ centers with employment services Computer Skills Training: Free technology courses for seniors Retirement Jobs: Match seniors with age-friendly employers On-the-Job Training: Paid 20-hour/week positions through SCSEP Resume Help: Free resume reviews and job placement assistance Earnings Test 2026: Earn up to $24,480/year without benefit reduction (under FRA) 👨👩👧 Caregiver Support Respite Services: Temporary relief for family caregivers Caregiver Counseling: Free emotional support and training Adult Day Programs: Supervised activities while caregivers work Support Groups: Connect with other caregivers in your area Information Services: Help navigating benefits and resources 🧮 Helpful Tools & Calculators 💵 Social Security Calculator Estimate your retirement benefits based on your earnings history 🏥 Medicare Plan Finder Compare Medicare plans, costs, and coverage in your area ✅ Benefits Eligibility Checker Find out which programs you qualify for in minutes 🏠 Rent Assistance Locator Find affordable housing and rental assistance programs near you 📊 IRS Tax Assistant Interactive tool to determine eligibility for tax credits and the new senior deduction 🎁 AARP Discount Finder Discover thousands of member discounts on travel, dining, shopping 📊 2026 Benefit Amounts Program Maximum Benefit Eligibility Social Security (Age 70) $5,181/month 35+ years max earnings, age 70 Social Security (Full Ret. Age) $4,152/month 35+ years max earnings, age 66-67 Average Retirement Benefit $2,071/month Based on individual work history SSI (Individual) $994/month 65+, limited income/resources SSI (Couple) $1,491/month Both 65+, limited income/resources Extra Help (Rx Drugs) ~$5,700/year Automatic with MSP enrollment Senior Bonus Deduction NEW Up to $6,000 ($12,000 couples) 65+, MAGI under $75K single / $150K joint Tax Credit for Elderly $3,750-$7,500 65+ or disabled, income limits apply Medicare Part B Premium $202.90/month All Part B enrollees (higher for high income) Earnings Test Limit (Under FRA) $24,480/year $1 withheld per $2 over limit 🛠️ Free Tools & Calculators ✅ Benefit Checker Quickly check your eligibility for federal and state benefits programs. Get instant results on which programs you may qualify for. FREE TOOL 🚨 Emergency Info Sheet Create and print a personalized emergency information sheet with medical history, contacts, and important documents for caregivers. PRINTABLE 💰 IRS RMD Calculator Calculate your Required Minimum Distribution from retirement accounts to avoid IRS penalties. Updated for current tax year. TAX TOOL 🏡 Reverse Mortgage Calculator Estimate your reverse mortgage loan balance over time. See how much you can borrow and plan your home equity strategy. PLANNING TOOL 📊 Purchasing Power Calculator See how inflation affects your retirement income. Compare what your dollar bought in the past versus today. INFLATION TOOL 📰 Latest Articles & Guides Loading latest articles… View All Articles → 🗺️ Find Resources by State 📍 Local Resources Matter! Many benefits vary by state. Use these tools to find programs specific to your location: 🔍 Eldercare Locator Find local Area Agency on Aging, meal programs, transportation, legal services by ZIP code 🏛️ State Benefits Finder Search programs by state and category – food, housing, healthcare, utilities 📞 Find Your SHIP Office Free Medicare counseling in all 50 states – help choosing plans and reducing costs 🆘 Call 211 or 211.org Connect to local emergency assistance – food, shelter, utilities, crisis support 🏠 State Housing Offices Find housing authorities, Section 8 waitlists, rental assistance in your state 🍽️ Local Food Banks 166 million meals for seniors annually – find food pantries and meal programs near you 🔗 Essential Government Portals ✅ BenefitsCheckUp® Screen for 2,000+ programs. Free, confidential tool by NCOA 🏛️ Benefits.gov Official federal benefits portal – search all government programs 🏥 Medicare.gov Official Medicare site – plans, coverage, costs, preventive services 💳 My Social Security View benefits, earnings history, apply online, request replacement card 🍎 Senior Food Programs SNAP, CSFP, Senior Farmers Market – eligibility and state contacts 🎖️ VA Health Care Veterans benefits – healthcare, pensions, disability, survivors benefits ⚠️ Beware of Scams! Warning: There is NO “$900 grocery stimulus” or “$3,300 government allowance card” for seniors. These are scams. Medicare and Social Security will NEVER call you unsolicited asking for personal information or money. If someone threatens to cancel your benefits: Hang up immediately and call the official numbers listed above. ❓ Common Questions Answered Quick Answers to Your Most Important Questions Q: How do I know which programs I qualify for? Use BenefitsCheckUp.org (free, takes 5-10 minutes) or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to speak with a benefits specialist who can help identify programs in your area. Q: What is the new $6,000 senior tax deduction? The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed July 2025) created a new bonus deduction of up to $6,000 for individuals 65+ ($12,000 for married couples filing jointly). It applies to tax years 2025-2028 and phases out for incomes above $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (joint). You can claim it whether you itemize or take the standard deduction. Q: How much did Social Security increase for 2026? Benefits increased by 2.8% (COLA) starting January 2026. The average retiree receives about $56 more per month. However, Medicare Part B premiums also rose to $202.90/month, which reduces the net increase for most beneficiaries to about $38/month. Q: Can I get free transportation to medical appointments? Yes! If you have Medicaid, transportation is covered. Many Area Agencies on Aging offer volunteer driver programs. Public transit offers 50% discounts for seniors 65+. Some cities like Chicago offer FREE transit for seniors. Q: Are utility discounts available for seniors? Many cities and states offer 10-20% utility discounts for seniors 65+ or low-income households. LIHEAP helps with heating/cooling bills. Contact your utility company or local Agency on Aging to apply. Q: What if I don’t have enough work credits for Social Security? You may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) which provides up to $994/month in 2026 for low-income seniors 65+ regardless of work history. Spouses may also qualify based on their partner’s work record. Q: Can I get help with prescription drug costs? Extra Help covers prescription costs (saves ~$5,700/year). In 2026, copays are capped at $5.10 for generics and $12.65 for brand-name drugs. After $2,100 in total drug spending, you pay $0 for the rest of the year. Plus, 10 high-cost drugs now have lower Medicare-negotiated prices. Contact 1-800-MEDICARE for information. Q: Is there free dental care for seniors? The Dental Lifeline Network provides free care through volunteer dentists. Many states have senior dental programs. Medicaid covers dental in some states. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for options. Q: How long does it take to get approved for benefits? Varies by program: SNAP (30 days), Social Security (3-5 months), SSI (3-6 months), Housing assistance (often has waiting lists of several months to years). Apply early and follow up regularly. Q: Can I work while receiving Social Security? Yes! In 2026, if you’re under full retirement age, you can earn up to $24,480 annually without affecting benefits ($1 withheld per $2 over that limit). If reaching FRA in 2026, the limit is $65,160. After full retirement age, there’s no earnings limit. Your benefits may increase based on additional earnings. 💡 Pro Tips for Maximizing Benefits in 2026 ✓ Claim the new senior deduction – If you’re 65+ with income under $75K (single) or $150K (joint), claim the $6,000 bonus on your 2025 return filed this year ✓ Apply for multiple programs – Many seniors qualify for 5-10 different benefits ✓ Check Medicare drug costs – 10 medications now have lower negotiated prices; $2,100 out-of-pocket cap in effect ✓ Keep copies of everything – Save applications, approval letters, and correspondence ✓ Reapply if denied – Many applications are denied due to missing paperwork; try again ✓ Ask for help – Benefits counselors at Area Agencies on Aging assist for FREE ✓ Check annually – New programs launch and eligibility rules change every year ✓ Report scams – Never give personal information to unsolicited callers 📝 How to Apply Step-by-Step Application Process Step 1: Use BenefitsCheckUp.org to identify programs you may qualify for Step 2: Gather required documents (ID, proof of income, Social Security card, tax returns) Step 3: Apply online through program websites or call the numbers above Step 4: Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for application help (1-800-677-1116) Step 5: Follow up on applications – keep copies of all documents submitted 💡 Pro Tip: Many seniors qualify for multiple programs. Applying for one program (like Medicaid) can automatically qualify you for others (like Extra Help for prescriptions). In 2026, enrolling in a Medicare Savings Program also automatically qualifies you for Extra Help with Rx drugs.