Government Benefits for Seniors

Millions of Americans are set to receive economic impact payments from the government. Learn about eligibility requirements, amounts and how to submit updated information to ensure older Americans get their coronavirus stimulus checks.

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) help seniors locate community resources that can assist them in remaining independent and safely aging in place. Find federal, state and local elder care services by contacting the Area Agency on Aging near you.

The Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program allows individuals with certain medical conditions to receive determinations for SSDI and/or SSI in a matter of weeks instead of months.

With so many older adults living on limited incomes, finding affordable products and services is crucial to making ends meet. Get the inside scoop on freebies and discounts available to you and your aging loved one.

Many American adults don't know how to maximize their Social Security benefits. Most start collecting too early, and neglect to use strategies that make the most of their monthly benefits.

Federal, state and local governments offer many services and benefits for seniors and their caregivers, but few people know these resources exist or how to access them. This is your go-to guide for elderly assistance programs.

Members of the sandwich generation care for a combination of young kids, aging parents, adult children, grandparents and even grandchildren. Their situations may vary, but the one thing these caregivers have in common is their need for more support.

Budgeting can be tricky, especially for seniors on fixed incomes. Learn how to help an aging loved one evaluate their personal cash flow and develop a monthly budget they can actually follow.

Interested in taking care of elderly parents at home and getting paid? There are many resources that pay family caregivers for their services.

Food insecurity is a serious issue for older adults. Senior meal delivery programs, grocery delivery services and government benefits can help ensure your loved one is eating nutritious meals.

Surviving family members often assume that a loved one’s last Social Security payment after death becomes part of their estate or can be spent on things like funeral expenses. The truth is that it usually must be returned to the SSA.

Most seniors start drawing Social Security as soon as they’re eligible, not knowing that waiting could be beneficial for them and their spouse. If you're healthy and expect a long, fulfilling retirement, you should consider waiting to claim your benefits.

The are two government programs that provide assistance for disabled and ill individuals: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If your loved one meets certain criteria, they may qualify for SSDI and/or SSI.

For the first time since the program's inception, only people in the lowest income brackets are currently receiving more in benefits than they paid out in taxes over the course of their careers.

Seniors and caregivers are missing out on the financial aid they can get while caring for an elder. A lack of knowledge about Medicare and other government benefits is causing seniors to miss out on a number of useful programs and financial aid.

Medicare and Medicaid’s PACE program is an optional benefit that provides home- and community-based care for older adults who are at risk of nursing home placement.

Learn about Social Security Benefits and Eligibility. Find out if you or your parents are eligible for social security benefits and how much you should get.

Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D plans can mitigate the growing costs of prescription drugs, but many seniors cannot afford this additional coverage. The Extra Help program assists low-income individuals in paying for their premiums and medications.

Special Needs Trust Funds can help safeguard disabled individuals against becoming impoverished. However, the use of these funds must comply with government agencies' income guidelines.

If I'd had paid family leave during my caregiving years, my life and the lives of my loved ones would have been quite different.