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Senior benefits, explained

Find the benefits you've earned, in plain words

Medicare help, Social Security, food, housing and tax breaks for older adults and the family helping them. Some programs start at 55, most by 65.

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Where do you want to start?

See all 37 benefits

  • Help paying for Medicare

    Your state may pay your Part B premium and more. About half the people who qualify don't get it.

    At least $2,435 a year

  • Money for food and bills

    SNAP, SSI, energy help and phone discounts. SNAP has easier rules for people 60 and older.

    Up to $306 a month

  • Talk to a real person, free

    Trained counselors in every state will go through your options with you by phone. They don't sell anything.

Money left unclaimed

About $58 billion in senior benefits goes unclaimed every year

That's for just three programs. The most common reasons: people don't know the program exists, or they wrongly think they earn or own too much to qualify.

49%
of people 65+ who qualify for a Medicare Savings Program get one
40%
of people 65+ who qualify for SSI get it
38%
of people 65+ who qualify for SNAP food help get it

Source: National Council on Aging and the Urban Institute, Benefits Participation Map (updated May 2026, using 2023 data). The dollar figure is a modelled estimate.

See if your state will pay your Medicare premium

Every program

Every major benefit for seniors

Grouped by what you need help with. Amounts are federal figures; your state may pay more or have different limits.

Medicare and health costs

8 programs

  • Medicare Savings Programs

    At least $2,435 a year in 2026

    Your state pays your Medicare Part B premium, and sometimes much more. Three programs: QMB, SLMB and QI.

  • QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary)

    Pays your Part A and B premiums plus deductibles, coinsurance and copays. Doctors may not bill you for covered care.

  • SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary)

    Pays your Part B premium if your income is a little above the QMB limit.

  • QI (Qualifying Individual)

    Pays your Part B premium. Funding is limited and first-come, so apply early in the year.

  • Medicaid for people with Medicare

    Full Medicaid on top of Medicare. Depending on your state, it can add dental, vision and care at home.

  • PACE

    All your Medicare and Medicaid care from one team, including rides, meals and home care, for people 55+ who need a nursing-home level of care.

  • SHIP free Medicare counseling

    Free, unbiased help from trained counselors with any Medicare question. Not a cash benefit, but often the best first call.

  • VA health care

    Medical care, prescriptions and some dental and long-term care for enrolled veterans.

Prescription costs

4 programs

  • Extra Help with drug costs

    Lowers your Part D premium, deductible and copays. You get it automatically with Medicaid, SSI or a Medicare Savings Program.

  • Part D cost cap

    Capped at $2,100 in 2026

    A yearly limit on what you pay for covered drugs.

  • Medicare GLP-1 Bridge

    A temporary program that lowers the copay for certain weight-loss drugs, outside your regular Part D plan.

  • State drug help programs (SPAPs)

    Some states help pay for prescriptions. These payments count toward your Part D yearly cap.

Income and Social Security

5 programs

  • SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

    Up to $994 a month in 2026

    A monthly payment for people 65+ with little income and savings. You don't need a work history.

  • Social Security retirement

    Your monthly benefit from your work record. When you claim changes how much you get for life.

  • SSDI (disability)

    Monthly disability benefits from your work record. Switches to retirement benefits at full retirement age.

  • Survivor and spousal benefits

    Benefits from a spouse's or ex-spouse's work record. Often missed, especially after a divorce or a death.

  • Social Security Fairness Act

    Ended the WEP and GPO reductions for teachers, police, firefighters and others with public pensions.

Food

4 programs

  • SNAP for seniors

    Up to $306 a month for one person

    Money for groceries on an EBT card. Special rules for people 60+ mean many people who think they won't qualify do.

  • Senior food box (CSFP)

    A free monthly box of food through local food banks, for people 60+. You can get it alongside SNAP.

  • Senior Farmers' Market coupons

    Seasonal coupons for fresh produce at farmers' markets. Limited and first-come.

  • Meals on Wheels and senior meals

    Home-delivered and group meals for people 60+, with no income test.

Housing and home repair

3 programs

  • Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

    Helps pay rent so you pay about 30% of your income. Waiting lists are long, so apply to more than one.

  • Section 202 senior housing

    Subsidized apartments for very-low-income households with someone 62+. You apply at each building.

  • USDA home repair loans and grants

    Low-interest loans and, for people 62+, grants to fix health and safety hazards in rural homes.

Utilities and phone

3 programs

  • LIHEAP heating and cooling help

    Pays part of your energy bill straight to the utility. Money runs out each season, so apply early.

  • Weatherization Assistance

    Free insulation, sealing and heating repairs that lower your energy bills for good.

  • Lifeline phone and internet discount

    A monthly discount on phone or internet service. The bigger ACP discount ended in 2024.

Taxes

4 programs

  • The new senior tax deduction

    $6,000 per person

    An extra deduction for each person 65+, for tax years 2025 to 2028, whether or not you itemize.

  • Higher standard deduction at 65

    A larger standard deduction once you turn 65, and more if you are blind.

  • Free tax help (VITA, TCE, Tax-Aide)

    Free tax preparation from trained volunteers, with a program just for people 60+.

  • Taxes on Social Security

    Whether your benefits are taxed depends on your other income. Many people owe nothing.

Getting to appointments

1 program

  • Rides to medical appointments

    Free or reimbursed rides through Medicaid, your local Area Agency on Aging, or the VA.

Care at home and caregivers

3 programs

  • Medicaid care at home (HCBS waivers)

    Personal care, adult day programs and home changes so you can stay home instead of moving to a nursing home.

  • VA Pension and Aid and Attendance

    Up to $2,424 a month for a veteran

    A tax-free monthly payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities.

  • Family caregiver support

    Respite care, counseling and training for family caregivers, including grandparents raising grandchildren.

How it works

Applying is easier than it looks

Most programs follow the same three steps. We link you straight to the official form.

  1. Check the limits for your state

    Income and savings limits change every year. Ours are checked against the official source.

  2. Gather what you need

    Your Medicare card, a bank statement, and proof of income like an award letter. Yes, the drawer with all the important papers.

  3. Apply on the official site

    Online, by mail, or in person. A free counselor can help you fill it out.

An older woman and her grown daughter go through a folder of papers at the kitchen table

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Why we built this

My own parents are why this exists. The rule is simple: treat other people's folks the way I'd want mine treated.

Kev, who runs seniorbenefits.guide