Free Government Benefits For Seniors

Seniors To Receive Up To $500 In Federal Government Aid To Help Cope With Covid

The federal government is promising more money to help seniors who are struggling to make ends meet during the coronavirus pandemic.

Anyone that qualifies for Old Age Security will get a $300 one-time payment. Those that also qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement get an additional $200.

Ottawa says 6.7 million seniors will get $300 and 2.2 million will get $500, at a cost of $2.5 billion.

Theres no question that COVID-19 has been taking its toll on seniors, both emotionally and financially, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during his daily COVID-19 update.

And with todays announcement, our government is taking action to alleviate some of the stress they may be feeling, but theres a lot more work to be done. Not only to find short term fixes, but long-term solutions.

A date wasnt announced, but Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos said since legislation is not required he he hopes payments will be distributed quickly.

The Canadian Association for Retired Persons says the supports are welcome, but arent a solution beyond the short term.

Seniors have been impacted by an increase in the cost of living, Marissa Lennox, CARPs Chief Policy Officer, in a statement.

Many low-income seniors depend on a variety of community support services, including food banks and volunteer tax preparation programs, many of which have closed their doors due to the virus. Its unclear how long this will last.

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Social Security Payments To Dependents

How it works: After the passing of a family member, loved ones are not aware that they are entitled to certain funds from the Social Security Administration. This is known as survivor benefits, as they are made to the spouse if they are over 60, over the age of 50 if disabled, or if they are caring for minors under 16. Funds will also be given to children and stepchildren under 18. Some cases even allow stepchildren, grandchildren, or step grandchildren to receive the money. If a child is also disabled, they can receive social security benefits from that of a parent for as long as necessary.

What you get: Monthly payments of the social security money according to the deceaseds work history.

Beneficiaries: Spouses, children, and other dependents of the social security recipient.

Keep in mind: Even if you are divorced from the deceased social security recipient, you are not disqualified from receiving payments. As long as you were married for 10+ years and the benefits you received were less than yours, you are still eligible. If your ex-spouse still had not filed for benefits, then you would have to have to been divorced for at least 2 years.

If You Dont Have A Sin Or Did Not File A Tax Return

If you dont have a SIN or didnt file your taxes last year, a guarantor must help you apply by mail.

A guarantor is someone who can confirm the identity, age and residency of the individual or couple applying to the program. The guarantor must be:

• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age

If more than one person in your household is applying, you only need one guarantor per household.

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Free Education For Seniors

It’s never too late to learn something new! Whether you’d like to pick up a new hobby or earn credits towards a degree, here’s where to look for the best bargains on education:

• City and County Rec Programs Want to meet other seniors who share your interests? Contact your city or county recreational department to ask for a course guide!
• Duolingo This app is technically free for all ages, but it’s too fun not to mention! Want to learn a new language? Download the Duolingo app.
• Libraries Want to know the ins and outs of Microsoft office? Or learn more about computers? Check with your local public library! Many offer free courses for senior citizens.
• Public Colleges & Universities State-run schools in all 50 states offer free or deeply discounted tuition for retirees. Contact your local state school for more information!

Pro Tip: Online learning platforms like Coursera,Skillshare, and Udemy also offer TONS of affordable courses on just about every topic under the sun. Many run sales throughout the year, so sign up for their email lists to stay in the know. We’ve got a whole post devoted to email sorting hacks, so check that out, too!

And there you have it! Dozens of freebies. Spread the word!

How To Take Advantage Of Discounts For Senior Citizens

For students to score discounts, they need to present a student ID. For teacher discounts, a work email address is often required. How can seniors ensure they’re eligible to cash in the best deals?

Many businesses use the honor system, while others ask for proof of age or a membership card. Here are a few discount clubs for seniors that are worth joining:

• AARP The American Association of Retired Persons is a nonprofit with more than 40 million members. In addition to various social impact projects they coordinate, the AARP also gives its members access to TONS of incredible deals. Sign up for an AARP membership here.
• AMAC The Association of Mature American Citizens is an advocacy group founded in 2007. In addition to lobbying on behalf of seniors, this organization also offers members deals on healthcare services, products, and more. Find out how to become an AMAC member here.
• Senior Discounts Club This free online community shares updated exclusive deals for seniors daily. They send out a newsletter packed with coupons just for the 55+ crowd. Join the Senior Discounts Club and check out their online forums, too.

Pro Tip: Never be afraid to ask for a discount! Many local businesses gladly offer deals for senior citizens, so there’s no shame in checking. Also, keep in mind that policies can vary from location to location, so it never hurts to call ahead and get the scoop when in doubt.

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

The SNAP program, formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal government program to help needy persons of any age pay for food. To qualify for benefits, households must meet strict resource and income limits. However, households in which all members receive SSI or TANF benefits are automatically assumed to meet the asset and income requirements for SNAP eligibility, and no further eligibility analysis is necessary.

Households with members who are elderly or disabled are allowed to have up to $3,000 in countable assets, such as cash or money in savings, checking and investment accounts.

The value of the primary residence is excluded from countable assets, as is the value of pension and retirement accounts. The fair market value of a vehicle up to $4,650 is always excluded from countable assets by federal rules, however states have the option to exclude an even higher amount.

In addition to asset limits, recipients must also meet income limits. Households with an elderly or disabled member must have anet monthly income below a certain level in order to qualify for SNAP assistance.

The household’s net income is calculated by subtracting certain deductions from the gross monthly income. These deductions include:

– 20% of earned income

– Standard deduction of $147 for household sizes of 1-3, and $155 for a household of 4.

– Dependent care deduction when necessary to enable a family member to work, attend school, or receive training.

– Court-ordered child support payments.

Laptop From Your Local Department Of Social And Health Services

If you contact your local Department of Social and Health Services, you may be able to get a laptop for free.

The department can sometimes assist people on a low-income by connecting them to local programs and non-profit organizations that can help them to get a laptop for free.

Just visit this page of the USA.gov website to find your states department of social or human services.

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Helping Seniors Stay Active

Another way the government offers health benefits for seniors is by encouraging active living. The government provides tips and guidelines for seniors. They also run the Ontario Senior Games, for athletes 55 and over.

Most communities provide active living, health, and wellness programs. Some of their program offerings will be tailored for seniors. Some may even offer specialized programming for people with conditions like Alzheimers.

You can visit your local Seniors Active Living Centre to find out more about what they offer. The website 211ontario.ca also offers local listings.

How Do The Seniors Can Qualify For A Free Tablet

The senior people are the most destitute when they have no means of living well. They need to get information on health and spend time. A tablet can be worth spending their time on. So some organization comes forward to help the senior people. They need to prove that they dont afford to pay for the tablet. Additionally, there may also be some eligibility criteria such as age, location, and other factors to qualify for a free tablet.

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Home Energy Assistance Program

The home energy assistance program is a federal program that provides a cash grant to eligible households to help pay a portion of home heating expenses.

Although this is a federal program, it is administered by the states, and each state is allowed to determine the amount of benefits that it will provide each eligible household, and each state can make its own eligibility rules, within very broad federal guidelines, regarding income and asset limits to qualify for HEAP assistance.

For information about the HEAP program in your state, contact yourState Office for the Aging

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What Are The Steps To Apply For A Free Tablet With Medicaid

With Medicaid, you may be eligible for free or low-cost medical coverage. One of the perks of having Medicaid is that you may also be eligible to receive a free tablet for seniors. The application process will vary depending on your state, so check with your local social services department for more information. Whether youre looking for a new tablet, or want to apply for Medicaid, here are the steps

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Help With Household Chores

If youre struggling to clean your home, it may be possible to get help for getting those chores done. According to the Older Americans Act, many caregiving agencies will offer help with household chores as part of their home care services.

These chores can include cleaning, laundry, cooking, trips to the grocery store, and more. Not all services will be free, but agencies usually do offer discounts.

What you get: Low-cost or free home care and moving help

Beneficiaries: Those over 60 or disabled

What Features Are Required From A Tablet For Seniors

Surely a tablet is a low cost, and it works as a computer. It can be carried anywhere as it is lightweight. There are some features of tablets that are conducive for the senior. Surely it is fit enough to surf any website and Web browsing. There should be an excellent camera feature that seniors often like to shoot photos. In addition, it should be compatible to create many documents and information storehouses for the senior people.

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Free Stuff From The Government For Veterans

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs offers a wide range of benefits to veterans, from free services, to housing benefits.

Below, weve listed a few examples of the free stuff offered.

Please be aware that each state has its own Department of Veterans Affairs.

And, the benefits offered can differ from state to state.

Here are a few of the free things veterans can get from the government through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

What Is Not Covered

The following are not covered under the Coverage for Seniors program:

• claims for benefit expenses incurred prior to the effective date of coverage
• claims for benefit expenses received by Alberta Blue Cross more than 12 months after the service was provided
• services covered by the AHCIP
• charges for drugs supplied directly and charged for by a physician, with the exception of allergy serums
• registration, admission or user fees charged by a hospital
• drug products not listed in the Alberta Drug Benefit List ask your pharmacist or physician if your prescribed medication is on this list
• semi-private or private hospital room
• travel insurance for emergency hospital and medical expenses outside of the province or country

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What Are Grants For The Senior

There are a lot of grants program for senior citizens who can live better after getting this grant. In the united states of America, these grants are also known as federal assistance grants, capital assistance programs for the elderly, the foster grandparent program, the nutrition services incentives programs, USDA repairs programs, and educational grants that are highly designed for the senior and elderly.

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Dental care providers are continuing to monitor COVID-19covid 19 in their communities and carefully and gradually restarting services under the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program . In person dental visits may still be limited during this time for the safety of dental care providers and patients.

You can continue to apply for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program during this period.

If you are enrolled in the Ontario Seniors Dental Care program , please contact your local public health unit by phone for assistance with your dental needs and more information on the gradual restart of services in your area.

Read the latest information on COVID-19covid 19.

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Basic Health Care With Ohip

If youre retiring soon, you may wonder what will happen to your healthcare coverage under OHIP.

Employer-sponsored benefits often end when you turn 65 or retire. OHIP continues to offer coverage for senior Ontarians.

Like all Ontarians, youre entitled to coverage for:

• Hospital Stays
• Visits to the doctor
• Some medical devices

Senior benefits in Ontario go farther. As someone over the age of 65, youll also qualify for vision care coverage. This will pay for trips to the optometrist every year.

National Shared Housing Resource Center

An innovative shared housing program that pairs seniors with roommates is the National Shared Housing Resource Center. It is mutually beneficial for everyone involved for the older person to provide housing for a person who pays for housing, helps with daily chores , making it a mutually beneficial program for all. Seniors are given the help they need to stay out of assisted living facilities.

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Looking For Local Charities And Churches For Senior Dental Work

One can look for help from various sources for dental treatment if they are not able to afford the dental treatment cost. As there are numerous government and non-government organizations that offer dental assistance to senior citizens. So that they will get dental treatment for their dental issues and did not face more problems because of the dental issues as well as because of their financial issues. But when a senior citizen did not get help from any source then they have to look for help from charities and churches. Churches are the place that offers help to low-income senior citizens with different assistance programs. Senior citizens can get dental treatment assistance from churches and charities. Churches are charity-based organizations that offer help to needy people with dental assistance. Most of the organizations are generous and sympathetic on the health-related issues, and thats why they have different assistance programs for the different health issues, and one of the dental health assistance as well. So senior citizens who are unable to pay for their dental treatment can look for their local churches and get help from there. They can go there and contact the office of the church and tell them about the dental issues and tell them that you did not afford the cost of the treatment. So they will offer you dental assistance.

How Your Snap Benefits Work

• Your state will issue benefits each month on a plastic electronic benefits transfer card. Much like a credit or debit card, you can use your EBT card to buy eligible food items. You must buy them from:

What help is available through Medicaid?

Medicaid provides free or low-cost medical benefits to eligible:

• Adults with a low income

• Children

• People who are age 65 or over

• People with disabilities

Am I eligible for Medicaid?

Check with your states Medicaid office to see if you or your family members are eligible for benefits. In general, it depends on at least one or a combination of:

• Number of people in your family

• If you are pregnant or have a disability

How do I apply for Medicaid?

There are two ways to apply for Medicaid:

• Contact your state Medicaid agency. You must be a resident of the state where you are applying for benefits.

• Fill out an application through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

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