Assistance for retirees affected by pandemic
Dear Savvy Senior: Are there any financial assistance programs you can refer me to? The coronavirus pandemic has cost me my part-time retirement job and has shrunk my measly IRA account. — Needy Retiree
Dear Needy: Several financial-assistance programs (both public and private) can help struggling retirees, as well as give relief to family members who provide financial support for their loved ones.
To find out what types of assistance you may be eligible for, go to BenefitsCheckup.org, a free, confidential web tool designed for adults 55 and older and their families. It will help locate federal, state and private benefits programs that can assist with paying for food, medications, utilities, health care, housing and other needs. This site — created by the National Council on Aging — contains more than 2,500 programs across the country.
To identify benefits, fill out an online questionnaire that asks questions such as date of birth, ZIP code, expenses, income, assets, veteran status, the medications you take and a few other factors.
You’ll then get a report detailing all the programs and services you may qualify for, along with information on how to apply. Some programs can be applied for online; some have downloadable forms for printing and mailing; and some require that you contact the program’s administrative office directly.
If you don’t have internet access, you can also get help in person at any of the 84 benefit enrollment centers throughout the United States. Call 888-268-6706 or visit Ncoa.org/centerforbenefits/becs to locate a center in your area. Some centers also offer assistance over the phone.
Types of benefits
Food assistance: Programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can help pay for groceries. The average SNAP benefit for 60-and-older households is about $125 per month. Other programs include the Emergency Food Assistance Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
Health care: Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs can help or completely pay for out-of-pocket health care costs. Also, special Medicaid waiver programs provide in-home care and assistance.
Prescription drugs: Hundreds of programs offered through pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and charitable organizations help lower or eliminate prescription drug costs, including the federal Low-income Subsidy known as Extra Help, which pays premiums, deductibles and prescription copayments for Medicare Part D beneficiaries.
Utility assistance: The Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program, as well as local utility companies and charitable organizations, provides assistance in lowering home heating and cooling costs.
Supplemental Security Income: Administered by the Social Security Administration, SSI provides monthly payments to very low-income seniors, 65 and older, as well as to those who are blind and disabled. In 2020, SSI pays up to $783 per month for a single person and up to $1,175 for couples.
In addition to these programs, numerous other benefits can help, such as HUD housing, home weatherization assistance, tax relief, veterans benefits, senior transportation, respite care, free legal assistance, job training and employment and debt counseling.