Financial Help for Seniors on Social Security – Overview
As of now, America faces the highest number of seniors within its population in its entire history. Longevity has become quite common thanks to advances in medical and health care. However, reports suggest that many people over 65, or seniors, face significant financial hardships after retirement.
State of Seniors in America
According to several reports, 4 out of 10 seniors in the US go through financial hardship due to their high medical bills. One in four seniors worries about being unable to pay off their accumulated debt, while 22% fear they won’t even afford rent or mortgage payments.
Financial Help for Seniors on Social Security – State of Seniors in America
By the end of last year, American student loan debt had reached more than $1.6 trillion. Nearly a quarter of the outstanding student loan debt is owed by Americans 50 and older.
These reports are a stark reminder of the state of senior citizens in the US regarding their quality of life and health and the burden they are leaving to the coming generation.
Sources of Financial Help for Seniors on Social Security
If you are a senior on social security and in significant debt, you can get financial help for different expenses through various government-sponsored aid programs. There are specific government programs at the local, state, and federal levels. You can mainly seek financial help from the government for three basic needs – housing, food, and healthcare.
1 – Housing Programs for Seniors
The US Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program allows licensed contractors to perform energy audits and provide solutions to seniors where energy inefficiencies are noted. These usually include:
- Tuning, repairing, cleaning, or replacing cooling/heating systems
- Repairing or replacing water heaters
- Installing programmable thermostats
- Installing insulation
- Replacing inefficient refrigerators with energy-efficient models
This program prioritizes people over 60 years and families with one or more members with a disability. In addition, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been operating for more than 40 years and is aimed at offering assistance to families with high energy costs.
The plan involves helping such families manage costs related to home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs.
2 – Healthcare for Seniors
Everyone knows seniors must spend more on healthcare than any other age group. According to the Retirement Confidence Survey, around 40% of retirees have significantly higher healthcare expenses.
The report shows that 4 out of 10 seniors believe Medicare can provide complete coverage for all their healthcare needs. However, this is far from the truth, as reports show that seniors over 75 spend as much as 16% of their budget on healthcare-related expenses.
To relieve retirees’ healthcare burden, the US federal and state governments offer Medicare, a primary healthcare subsidy for seniors. It comes in three parts – Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, and Medicare Part C.
Medicare Part A covers the cost of hospital stays and is entirely free (no monthly premium) if you (or your spouse) have paid Social Security for at least ten years.
Medicare Part B covers expenses of outpatient hospital services, such as rehabilitation and visits to the doctor. This plan is offered at a low premium of just US$ 164,90 per month, with US$ 226 as deductible every year.
Medicare Part C covers the expenses of prescription drugs. You can also seek assistance with prescription drug costs by enrolling in a Medicare Supplemental Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan.
3 – Food Programs for Seniors
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is aimed at helping low-income senior citizens with groceries through monthly stipends. This program was earlier known as the “Food Stamp” plan. Eligibility criteria for enrolling in SNAP require having proof of limited income and resources.
The Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is aimed at helping the elderly with food costs. It provides low-income senior citizens with coupon booklets that can be used at participating farmers’ markets and food stands. These coupons are meant to buy fresh or organic produce, not for canned or dried food items.
On the other hand, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) aims to provide senior citizens with affordable food, such as canned food, vegetables, meat, dairy, and fresh fruits.
Conclusion
As you can see, the US federal and state governments offer various types of financial help for seniors on social security. These financial aid programs are meant to ensure that seniors in America have access to affordable housing, healthcare, and food.
To determine if you qualify for other aid programs as a senior citizen, we recommend you talk to your local Social Security office.
See Also
Best Medical Insurance for Senior Citizens
Grants for Senior Dental Implants
Social Security Disability Benefits Pay Chart
What is Social Security Disability
Hardship Grants Provide You Fast Cash
Dental Insurance for Senior Citizens
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