We’ve included all our senior-related guides below for your convenience. Select your guide below.
Food Stamps Guide
If you are struggling to pay for food and groceries, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, may be available to you. This program provides assistance to low-income seniors, families and adults access healthy, nutritious food in the United States.
If you qualify for SNAP, you will get an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card to pay for food stamps-approved foods in authorized stores. The EBT works in the same way as a debit card and you get extra funds every month. As long as you continue to be eligible, you will receive funds.
The amount of money you get on your card will depend on how much income you have every month and the number of household members, among other factors. If you want to qualify for food stamps as a senior, you will need to meet different requirements than the ones families or adults need to meet. Seniors, for example, generally aren’t employed, they are retired. You will need to meet income requirements as well.
Section 8 Guide
Accessing affordable housing can be an extremely difficult feat in the country. If you are looking for low-income housing for fixed-income individuals, you may be looking for rental units, for instance. Section 8, also known as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is the largest federal housing assistance program in the United States.
This program provides vouchers to seniors so they can rent houses, apartments and condos at a reduced cost. Set your home preferences but make sure they are available for Section 8 applicants. Millions depend on Section 8 and the number of homes is limited, so you may need to be placed in a waiting list for a while within your local public housing authority (PHA).
To qualify for Section 8 as a senior you will have to meet the income requirements in your state, and to qualify for the “elderly household category” if you meet the age requirement.
Unemployment Insurance Guide
Unemployment insurance (UI) is available to seniors who lost their job through no fault of their own. You can receive weekly payments, but in order to apply, you will need to meet the requirements set by your state. Nonetheless, if you voluntarily quit or retire, you will not be able to qualify for these benefits.
UI benefits may be available to seniors who were laid off, furloughed or had their hours reduced. However, if you are fired because of misconduct then you cannot apply for UI. The amount you receive depends on how much your income was before you were laid off, furloughed or had your hours reduced. The amount will depend on the state you apply for UI in.
To continue getting UI benefits you will need to be looking for a job. This requirement was waived due to the pandemic, but be sure to check with your local unemployment office in case it has been reinstated.
TANF Guide
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF program may be available to seniors struggling to pay for their home essentials. This federal program provides financial assistance to those who qualify in the form of cash payments, to cover food, clothing, housing, medical bills, etc.
To qualify for TANF payments, seniors will need to have a child or children younger than 18, dependents or full-time students younger than 19 living at their home, though not necessarily in their custody.
If you wish to qualify for TANF, you need to have a low income and limited resources. The more people living under one roof, the higher the income the home will have, but if their incomes are low, they may still qualify for TANF.
Medicaid Guide
Health care in the U.S. can significantly affect the finances of any senior. Millions of American seniors rely on Medicaid to get their medication and medical attention. This federal health insurance program provides healthcare for seniors at an affordable price. Medicaid can be accessed by several different groups, including seniors, as long as they meet the requirements.
Although it is a federal program, states can provide Medicaid benefits in any way they see fit. For example, many seniors with higher incomes are also able to qualify for Medicaid in some states to ensure a larger portion of the population has medical coverage.
To qualify for Medicaid as a senior, you will have to meet specific requirements in terms of location, income, the number of members in your household, etc. Some seniors are considered “medically needy” and automatically qualify for Medicaid.
Medicare Guide
Medicare is a health program available to seniors and disabled adults. It provides low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans. If you qualify for Medicare, you can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket medical expenses, which may include copayments and premiums.
Although it is aimed mainly at seniors of 65 years of age or more, Medicare is also available for disabled individuals before they are 65, depending on their level of disability.
Medicare has four main parts: Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D. Parts A and B are considered collectively as “Original Medicare”, covering both inpatient and outpatient services. Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage Plan, is a supplemental coverage plan available in private insurance companies. Part D offers drug coverage and provides access to low-cost prescriptions.