Last updated 2 months ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.
Getting older shouldn’t mean choosing between food and medicine, or worrying about losing your home. The federal government offers dozens of programs designed to help older Americans maintain their health, financial security, and independence. Yet many seniors don’t know these programs exist or how to access them.
This guide breaks down the most important federal benefits available to older adults, from Medicare and Social Security to housing assistance and nutrition programs. Each program has its own rules, benefits, and application process, but they share a common goal: helping Americans age with dignity.
Healthcare and Medical Assistance
Medicare: The Foundation of Senior Healthcare
Medicare serves as the primary health insurance for 66 million Americans, most of them over 65. The program covers hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and preventive care, though it doesn’t cover everything seniors need.
Part A: Hospital Insurance
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health services. Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working for at least 10 years.
Part B: Medical Insurance
Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, medical equipment, and preventive services. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B. The program covers ambulance services, clinical research, durable medical equipment, and mental health services.
A key benefit: the Part B deductible doesn’t apply to insulin for pumps, and monthly insulin costs are capped at $35.
Part C: Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans are private alternatives to original Medicare that often include prescription drug coverage plus extras like vision, hearing, and dental care. You must have Parts A and B to join an Advantage plan. These plans typically use provider networks and may require referrals for specialists.
Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage
Part D helps cover prescription drug costs through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Starting in 2025, out-of-pocket drug costs will be capped at $2,000 per year—a major relief for seniors facing high medication expenses.
Getting Started with Medicare
You can sign up for Medicare through Social Security during your Initial Enrollment Period, which begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after. Compare and enroll in Medicare Advantage and Part D plans at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Medicare has gaps. It generally doesn’t cover long-term custodial care, which can cost thousands of dollars monthly. This is where other programs become crucial.
Table 1: Overview of Medicare Parts
| Part | Type of Coverage | Key Benefits Covered | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Hospital Insurance | Inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, some home health care | Enroll through Social Security. Often premium-free if sufficient work history. |
| B | Medical Insurance | Doctors’ services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, preventive services | Enroll through Social Security. Requires a monthly premium. |
| C | Medicare Advantage | Combines Part A, Part B, and usually Part D. May offer extra benefits (vision, dental, hearing) | Choose and enroll in a plan from a private insurer approved by Medicare. |
| D | Prescription Drugs | Helps cover the cost of prescription medications | Join a standalone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage at Medicare.gov. |
Medicaid for Seniors: The Safety Net
While Medicare covers most seniors, Medicaid fills critical gaps for those with limited income and resources. About 7.2 million low-income seniors are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid—known as “dual eligibles.”
Medicaid can pay Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs. More importantly, it covers services Medicare doesn’t, including long-term nursing home care beyond Medicare’s 100-day limit, eyeglasses, and hearing aids.
Medicaid serves as the primary payer for long-term services and supports in the United States. This includes help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and eating, whether in nursing facilities or through home and community-based services.
Eligibility and Application
Medicaid eligibility for seniors depends on having limited income and resources. States set specific income and asset limits that vary by location. Many states have expanded their Medicaid programs beyond the traditional requirements.
You can apply for Medicaid any time of year by contacting your local Medicaid office. HealthCare.gov can help you find your state’s Medicaid agency.
Medicare Savings Programs
For Medicare beneficiaries with limited income, Medicare Savings Programs can pay some or all Medicare costs, including premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. State Medicaid programs run these four programs:
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
Helps pay Part A and Part B premiums, plus Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
Helps pay Part B premiums. Income limits are slightly higher than QMB.
Qualifying Individual (QI) Program
Helps pay Part B premiums with higher income limits than SLMB. Benefits are limited and granted first-come, first-served.
Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program
Helps pay Part A premiums for disabled workers under 65 who lost premium-free Part A when they returned to work.
Contact your local Medicaid office to apply. More information is available at the Medicaid website.
Table 2: Medicare Savings Program Monthly Income & Asset Limits (2025)
| Program | Category | Individual Limit | Couple Limit | Helps Pay For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) | Income* | $1,325 | $1,783 | Part A & B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, copayments |
| Resource | $9,660 | $14,470 | ||
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) | Income* | $1,585 | $2,135 | Part B premiums |
| Resource | $9,660 | $14,470 | ||
| Qualifying Individual (QI) | Income* | $1,781 | $2,400 | Part B premiums |
| Resource | $9,660 | $14,470 |
*Income limits include a $20 monthly SSI income disregard. Always check with your local Medicaid office for current limits.
Extra Help with Prescription Drug Costs
The Extra Help program, also called the Low-Income Subsidy, helps people with limited income and resources pay for Medicare Part D prescription drug costs, including premiums, deductibles, and co-payments.
Benefits
If you qualify for Extra Help in 2024, you’ll pay no more than $4.50 for generic drugs and $11.20 for brand-name drugs covered by your plan. You’ll pay $0 for your drug plan premium and deductible. Once your total out-of-pocket drug costs reach $8,000, you’ll pay nothing for covered drugs.
Automatic Qualification
You automatically qualify if you have full Medicaid coverage, receive help from your state paying Part B premiums, or receive Supplemental Security Income benefits.
Income-Based Qualification
Others may qualify if their income is below $22,590 for individuals ($30,660 for couples) and resources are below $17,220 for individuals ($34,360 for couples). Your home, one car, and personal belongings don’t count as resources.
Apply online through the Social Security Administration or call 1-800-772-1213.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
PACE provides comprehensive medical and social services to frail seniors who need nursing home-level care but want to stay in their communities. The program combines Medicare and Medicaid benefits into one package managed by an interdisciplinary team.
Services
PACE covers all Medicare and Medicaid services plus anything the care team decides you need, including adult day care, primary care, dentistry, emergency services, home care, hospital care, lab services, meals, nursing home care if necessary, therapy, and transportation.
Eligibility
To join PACE, you must be 55 or older, live in a PACE service area, be certified as needing nursing home-level care, and be able to live safely in the community with PACE support.
Costs
If you have Medicaid, you won’t pay a monthly premium for long-term care. If you have Medicare but not Medicaid, you’ll pay a premium for long-term care and Part D drugs. There are no deductibles or copayments for approved services.
Find PACE programs near you at Medicare.gov or call your state Medicaid office. PACE isn’t available everywhere—it operates in limited service areas.
Financial Security and Income Support
Social Security Retirement Benefits
Social Security provides monthly payments designed to replace about 40% of pre-retirement income for workers who paid Social Security taxes. The Social Security Administration runs this earned benefit program through ssa.gov/retirement.
Earning Your Benefits
You need 40 credits (about 10 years of work) to qualify for retirement benefits if you were born in 1929 or later. In 2025, you earn one credit for each $1,810 in earnings, up to four credits per year.
When to Start Benefits
You can start receiving benefits as early as age 62, but your payments will be permanently reduced. Your Full Retirement Age is between 66 and 67, depending on when you were born. If you delay benefits until age 70, your monthly payments increase by 8% per year.
Benefit Amounts
Your benefit depends on your average earnings during your highest 35 years of work. Get a personalized estimate by creating a my Social Security account.
Family Benefits
Family members may also receive benefits on your record, including spouses age 62 or older, spouses caring for your child under 16 or disabled, divorced spouses (if married at least 10 years), and dependent children.
How to Apply
Apply online at ssa.gov/retirement up to four months before you want benefits to start. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 for help.
The timing of when you claim Social Security has permanent financial consequences. Claiming at 62 means accepting reduced payments for life, while waiting until 70 maximizes your monthly benefit.
Table 3: Impact of Claiming Age on Social Security Benefits (FRA of 67)
| Claiming Age | Approximate Percentage of Full Benefit |
|---|---|
| Age 62 | 70% |
| Age 63 | 75% |
| Age 64 | 80% |
| Age 65 | 86.7% |
| Age 66 | 93.3% |
| Age 67 (FRA) | 100% |
| Age 68 | 108% |
| Age 69 | 116% |
| Age 70 (Max) | 124% |
Supplemental Security Income for Seniors
Supplemental Security Income provides monthly payments to adults 65 or older with very limited income and resources. Unlike Social Security retirement benefits, SSI doesn’t require a work history—it’s a need-based program funded by general tax revenue.
Eligibility
To qualify at age 65 or older, you must have very limited income and resources. For 2025, the maximum federal SSI payment is $967 monthly for individuals and $1,450 for eligible couples.
The program doesn’t count all income. The first $20 of most monthly income and the first $65 of monthly earnings (plus half of earnings over $65) are typically disregarded.
Resource Limits
For 2025, you can have up to $2,000 in resources as an individual or $3,000 as a couple. Your home, one vehicle, household goods, personal effects, and burial funds up to $1,500 don’t count.
Additional Benefits
Most SSI recipients automatically qualify for Medicaid and may be eligible for food assistance through SNAP.
How to Apply
Start your application at ssa.gov/ssi or call 1-800-772-1213. You’ll need documents like your Social Security card, birth certificate, bank statements, and proof of living arrangements.
Table 4: SSI Federal Benefit Rates & Resource Limits (2025)
| Category | Individual Limit | Couple Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Federal Monthly Payment | $967 | $1,450 |
| Resource Limit | $2,000 | $3,000 |
Tax Relief for Older Adults
The IRS offers several tax provisions to ease the burden on seniors. IRS Publication 554 provides complete details on tax benefits for seniors.
Higher Filing Thresholds
People 65 or older have higher gross income thresholds before they must file a federal tax return. For 2024, a single person 65 or older only needs to file if their gross income is at least $16,550, compared to $14,600 for younger taxpayers.
Additional Standard Deduction
Seniors 65 or older get an additional standard deduction. For 2024, this adds $1,950 for single filers and $1,550 for married couples, for each condition (age or blindness).
Credit for the Elderly or Disabled
This tax credit is available to people 65 or older, or those under 65 who are retired on permanent and total disability, with income below certain limits.
Free Tax Preparation
Several programs offer free tax help for seniors:
- Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE): Free help from IRS-certified volunteers specializing in senior tax issues
- AARP Foundation Tax-Aide: Free preparation at thousands of locations for low- to moderate-income taxpayers 50 and older. Visit aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide or call 888-687-2277
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): For people making $64,000 or less
Find local sites at the IRS website.
Veterans Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers financial benefits specifically for senior veterans, acknowledging their service to the country. Visit va.gov for complete information.
VA Pension
This need-based benefit serves wartime veterans 65 or older, or those permanently and totally disabled, who have limited income.
Aid and Attendance and Housebound Allowances
These additional payments can be added to VA Pension for veterans who need help with daily activities, are bedridden, live in nursing homes due to incapacity, or are substantially confined to their homes.
Disability Compensation
This tax-free monthly benefit goes to veterans with disabilities resulting from military service. The amount varies based on disability severity and isn’t income-based.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
This tax-free benefit goes to eligible survivors of servicemembers who died in the line of duty or veterans whose death resulted from service-related conditions.
How to Apply
Apply online at va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim for disability compensation or va.gov/pension/how-to-apply for pension benefits. Veterans Service Organizations offer free help with applications.
Nutrition and Food Assistance
Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs
The Administration for Community Living funds nutrition services for people 60 and older through state and local agencies. These programs reduce hunger and food insecurity while promoting social connections. Learn more at acl.gov.
Congregate Meals
Nutritious meals are served in group settings like senior centers, community centers, and faith-based locations. These meals must provide at least one-third of daily nutritional needs and follow current dietary guidelines.
Beyond nutrition, congregate dining offers social interaction, health activities, nutrition education, and volunteer opportunities, all contributing to overall well-being and reducing isolation.
Home-Delivered Meals
Often called “Meals on Wheels,” this service delivers nutritious meals directly to homebound seniors who can’t attend congregate sites. Delivery volunteers also provide safety checks and social contact, which can be crucial for people living alone.
Eligibility and Access
People 60 and older are generally eligible, along with their spouses regardless of age. While there’s no income test, services target those with the greatest economic or social need.
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or senior center to access these services. The Eldercare Locator can help you find programs by visiting eldercare.acl.gov or calling 1-800-677-1116.
SNAP for Seniors
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps low-income households buy nutritious food. Special rules make SNAP more accessible and generous for households with members 60 or older. Visit fns.usda.gov/snap for details.
Special Rules for Seniors
Households with seniors may qualify as separate SNAP households even when living with others, if certain income conditions are met. They also get higher resource limits and benefit from uncapped shelter deductions.
Medical Expense Deduction
Households with elderly or disabled members can deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses over $35 monthly from their income when calculating SNAP benefits. This includes doctor bills, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications approved by doctors, and nursing care costs.
Work Requirements
People 60 and older are exempt from SNAP work requirements.
How to Apply
Apply in the state where you live by contacting your local SNAP office or visiting your state agency’s website. Many states offer online applications.
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides low-income seniors with coupons to buy fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs from farmers’ markets and roadside stands.
Eligibility and Benefits
To qualify, you must be at least 60 years old with household income at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines. Benefits typically range from $20 to $50 per year and are distributed seasonally on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to Apply
Apply annually through local senior centers or Area Agencies on Aging in participating areas. Application processes often require in-person sign-up, and timing is critical since funding is limited.
Housing and Home Support
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government’s largest rental assistance program, helping very low-income families, elderly, and disabled people afford decent housing in the private market. Find information at hud.gov.
How It Works
Voucher recipients find their own housing where landlords agree to participate. The housing must meet HUD health and safety standards. Households typically pay 30% of their adjusted income for rent, and the Public Housing Agency pays the rest directly to landlords.
Eligibility
Family income generally can’t exceed 50% of the Area Median Income for your county or metro area. By law, 75% of vouchers each year must go to applicants with incomes at or below 30% of area median income.
How to Apply
Contact your local Public Housing Agency using HUD’s online directory. Due to high demand, most agencies have long waiting lists.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP helps low-income households pay home energy bills, prevent utility shutoffs, and make energy-related home repairs. The program operates through state agencies funded by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Services
LIHEAP can help with heating and cooling bills, crisis assistance for utility shutoffs, weatherization services to improve energy efficiency, and minor energy-related repairs or equipment replacement.
Eligibility
Eligibility is primarily income-based, with states setting limits within federal guidelines (generally up to 150% of federal poverty guidelines or 60% of state median income). Priority often goes to households with elderly members, disabilities, or young children.
How to Apply
Contact your local LIHEAP agency through the national energy assistance website or call 1-866-674-6327.
Home Repair and Modification Assistance
Several federal programs help low-income homeowners, including seniors, pay for necessary repairs and modifications to ensure safety and accessibility.
USDA Single Family Housing Repair Program (Section 504)
This program provides loans and grants to very low-income homeowners in eligible rural areas. Grants up to $10,000 are available to elderly homeowners (62 or older) to remove health and safety hazards. Loans up to $40,000 are available at 1% interest for up to 20 years.
Apply through local USDA Rural Development offices. Check address eligibility at eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Department of Energy’s weatherization program helps low-income households reduce energy bills through home efficiency improvements like insulation, air sealing, and heating system repairs. Contact your state’s program through usa.gov/help-with-energy-bills.
VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant
Veterans with service-connected disabilities can receive grants for medically necessary home modifications for accessibility, such as ramps, widened doorways, and accessible bathrooms. Apply through your local VA medical center using VA Form 10-0103.
Table 5: Key Federal Home Repair Programs for Seniors
| Program Name | Agency | Primary Purpose | Key Benefit | General Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USDA Section 504 Grant | USDA Rural Development | Remove health & safety hazards | Max $10,000 grant (lifetime) | Age 62+, very-low-income, rural area |
| USDA Section 504 Loan | USDA Rural Development | Repair, improve, modernize homes | Max $40,000, 1% interest, 20-year term | Very-low-income, rural area |
| Weatherization Assistance | Dept. of Energy | Improve home energy efficiency | Free energy upgrades | Low-income (seniors often qualify) |
| VA HISA Grant | Veterans Affairs | Medically necessary home modifications | Grant amounts vary by need | Veteran with qualifying disability |
Employment and Community Engagement
Senior Community Service Employment Program
The Senior Community Service Employment Program is the nation’s oldest program for helping low-income, unemployed people 55 and older find work. Authorized under the Older Americans Act, SCSEP provides subsidized, part-time training in community service settings.
How It Works
Participants work an average of 20 hours per week in community service assignments at nonprofits and public facilities like schools, hospitals, day-care centers, and senior centers. They’re paid at least minimum wage and receive an Individual Employment Plan, skills training, and supportive services like annual physicals and job search assistance.
Eligibility
To qualify, you must be 55 or older, unemployed, have family income no more than 125% of federal poverty level, and have poor employment prospects. Priority goes to veterans, people over 65, those with disabilities, people with low literacy or limited English, rural residents, homeless individuals, and formerly incarcerated people.
How to Apply
Find programs in your area using CareerOneStop’s Older Worker Program Finder or call 1-877-872-5627.
Older Americans Act Supportive Services
Title III of the Older Americans Act funds comprehensive supportive services for people 60 and older, delivered through a national network of State Units on Aging and local Area Agencies on Aging.
Transportation Services
Helps seniors get to medical appointments, grocery stores, senior centers, and other essential destinations when they can no longer drive or don’t have reliable transportation.
Legal Assistance and Elder Rights Protection
Provides help with legal issues including advance directives, consumer protection, and addressing elder abuse. This includes funding for Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs that advocate for nursing home residents.
In-Home Services
Offers assistance with daily tasks to help seniors stay at home:
- Homemaker services for meal preparation, shopping, money management, and light housework
- Personal care for activities of daily living like bathing and dressing
- Chore services for heavy housework, yard work, and minor home maintenance
Adult Day Care
Provides personal care, social and recreational activities, and sometimes health services for dependent older adults in supervised group settings during the day.
Case Management
Assesses needs, develops care plans, and coordinates access to various services for seniors with complex needs.
Information and Referral
Connects seniors and caregivers with available services and resources in their communities through trained specialists.
Health Promotion Programs
Offers evidence-based programs to manage chronic conditions, prevent falls, promote physical activity, and support overall wellness.
Family Caregiver Support
Provides information, assistance, counseling, respite care, and supplemental services to people caring for older adults, as well as grandparents caring for children.
Access
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to access these services. The Eldercare Locator helps you find your local agency at eldercare.acl.gov or 1-800-677-1116.
Administration for Community Living
The Administration for Community Living, established in 2012 within the Department of Health and Human Services, leads federal efforts to maximize independence, well-being, and health for older adults and people with disabilities. Visit acl.gov for more information.
Key Functions
ACL administers the Older Americans Act, funds services through state and local organizations, advocates for beneficial policies, promotes person-centered approaches, supports home and community-based services, protects rights and prevents abuse, and invests in research and innovation.
The Aging Network
ACL oversees a vast network of State Units on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living, tribal organizations, and community-based service providers. This “Aging Network” delivers services to millions of older Americans nationwide.
Eldercare Locator
ACL operates this nationwide service that connects older Americans and caregivers with local senior services. Access it at eldercare.acl.gov or 1-800-677-1116.
The programs outlined in this guide represent a substantial federal investment in supporting older Americans. While navigating these benefits can seem overwhelming, help is available through local agencies, online resources, and toll-free helplines. The key is knowing these programs exist and taking the first step to apply for those that match your circumstances and needs.
Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.