Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Free Help For Seniors From The Government

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Other Types Of Benefits And Programs For The Unemployed

Get Help Finding Free Money and Services For Seniors

Educational Help

Federal agencies offer many unemployment education and training programs. They are generally free or low cost to the unemployed.

Self-Employment Help

Self-employment assistance programs help unemployed workers start their own small businesses. Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, and Oregon offer this program.

What Are Federal And State Assistance For Seniors

Seniors are the person who has worked hard for the betterment of their life and the country. At this age, the situation may be a little bit different due to any reality. surely they may not afford to buy anything which is a need for their life. The most significant spending in this life is medication as people get older and they have different types of health complications.

Additionally, their movement is not easy as young people and transportation assistance is also seen as a need. They also need to live in a place where there is every possible arrangement such as a wheelchair, an old-aged supporting house, and other amenities.

The worst situation is that they may not afford to pay for what they need. Some seniors might have bankruptcy cases, face business loss, and shutdowns that led to helplessness. Whatever the reality is, seniors are the most respected and nation builder. Their rights and benefits are protected from different government programs.

For this, there are so many federal and state assistance as government programs for seniors to make sure they can live better and well. the Department of Aging, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Agriculture, and so on have numerous programs and assistance for the senior people.

Are Seniors Getting Left Behind

Forbes Advisor has received mail from older readers expressing the feeling of being left behind by the federal government regarding financial aid and resources. While Social Security saw a huge cost of living increase for 2022 , the added funds will barely keep up with skyrocketing inflation.

This negligence is a trend that has been ongoing through several administrations.

Former President Donald Trump failed to lower drug prices. Former President Barack Obama implemented the Affordable Care Act, which helped older Americans who didnt have employer coverage, and were not yet eligible for Medicare get coverage, get health insurancebut failed to deliver on other promises, such as finding a solution to future Social Security benefits cuts or expanding long-term care coverage.

President Joe Biden campaigned on an assortment of promises for seniors, including lowering prescription drug costs, providing higher Social Security benefits and supporting older workers that remain in the workforce. As of now, though, these topics have received little limelight compared to Bidens other priorities.

Bidens Build Back Better plan, which is currently being negotiated on by Democrats, doesnt include many provisions to help seniors. An increase to SSI could be left out, and a plan to lower prescription drug prices failed to pass a Democratic committee, threatening its future implementation.

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Ways To Get Free Money From The Government

Online, you often see people asking questions like Is the government giving out free money? or Are there free government grants?

Aside from free stuff, like educational resources and formula, the government does also offer free money to people that qualify for it.

Youll need to meet eligibility requirements to get the free cash.

Here are a few ways to get free money from the government.

Laptop From Your Local Department Of Social And Health Services

Government Cuts Financial Assistance, Seniors Clog ...

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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Dental Help For Seniors

Taking proper care of teeth and gums is a key part of staying healthy. Research has shown that poor oral health can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and pneumonia. Aging adults are increasingly prone to a range of dental problems, from dry mouth and root decay to tooth loss and oral cancer. Such issues can negatively affect seniors’ quality of life.

The good news is that dental help for low-income seniors is available. Most states provide emergency dental benefits through their Medicaid programs, and some even provide comprehensive coverage.

Your local Area Agency on Aging office, public health department, or state dental association may be able to point you toward free dental programs for seniors in your region. Dental schools with student clinics can be another good source of reduced-cost dental care.

Free or low-cost clinics can be found in many states. Some have income limit requirements, but many will accept patients of any income level, though you may be charged a fee relative to what you can afford. You can search for clinics in your area through NeedyMeds.

The Donated Dental Services program from the Dental Lifeline Network provides free help for seniors who can’t afford dental treatment and are ineligible for state assistance. The program has thousands of dentists across the country volunteering to help seniors with their oral care needs. You may qualify if you are over 65, disabled, or medically fragile.

Hearing Aid Help For Seniors

According to a 2016 study in JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, hearing loss affects more than 60 percent of adults over age 70, yet only 20 percent of adults who need hearing aids actually use them. Price is the most common roadblock: The devices can cost thousands of dollars each, and most seniors need two of them. But there are ways to get help with those costs.

While original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or the exams required to fit them, some Medicare Advantage plans do, so talk to your insurance provider. In some states, Medicaid will also pay for hearing aids.

Lions Clubs across the U.S. offer the Affordable Hearing Aid Project, which helps seniors with limited incomes access hearing aids that they would otherwise be unable to afford. The program also arranges for the fitting and follow-up care. Each club has its own income guidelines for determining who qualifies, so check around.

The National Hearing Aid Project supplies hearing aids to low-income U.S. residents who lack insurance coverage for the devices. Qualified individuals receive a hearing assessment, a fitting, and a follow-up. Those who receive hearing aids through the program are asked to share their story on a personal fundraising page in order to encourage others to donate to the program.

Another option is to contact hearing aid manufacturers to ask about participating in a clinical trial. Trial participants generally get to keep the products they test.

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Free Tax Return Preparation For Qualifying Taxpayers

  • Tax Exempt Bonds
  • The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.

    The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:

    • People who generally make $58,000 or less
    • Persons with disabilities and
    • Limited English-speaking taxpayers

    In addition to VITA, the TCE program offers free tax help, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.

    While the IRS manages the VITA and TCE programs, the VITA/TCE sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.

    Backyard Conservation Magazine And Tip Sheets

    Funding for youth, seniors and homeless coming, Trudeau says

    The Natural Resources Conversation Service from the United States Department of Agriculture provides resources on bringing conservation to your backyard.

    You can get Backyard Conservation magazine and tip sheets for free!

    This free magazine has a lot of great information available on a huge range of topics, such as composting, mulching, pest management, and tree planting.

    • Get the free magazine and tip sheets here:

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    Low Cost Support Services

    Support services are designed to help the disabled, but they often extend to the elderly as well. Essentially, these programs are designed to assist people with medical expenses who qualify for assistance. There is an additional quota that allows healthy older adults to go to geriatric care centers and recreation centers.

    Their independence and social contacts are maintained through these types of initiatives. They can participate in programs designed to help them finish their education, find employment, or live under medical supervision.

    Other Food Assistance And Benefits

    The different food assistance programs provide free food as well as nutrition services, as well as the opportunity for older people to interact directly with staff or volunteers. Through these programs, benefits can be provided to older people. Which is the best? A volunteer will connect them with other additional services in their community if needed.

    The Commodity Supplemental Food Program , funded by the federal government, is another option available to seniors 55-60 years old. By collaborating with the United States Department of Agriculture and utilizing state logistical support, it offers healthy meals. As part of the program, the citizens will receive more nutritional information to enhance their diets.

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    Getting Free Government Money Can Be Difficult

    Although there are plenty of options for finding free government money, the only way to receive the money is by meeting eligibility requirements in most cases. For most programs, theres no uniform set of requirements beyond the federal poverty guidelines, so its often difficult to figure out if you qualify.

    Low-income families with children, disabled individuals, veterans, and the elderly typically have an easier time qualifying for benefits, but its not a guarantee. And if you qualify for some programs, you might not be eligible for others. It all depends on your state, the program, and other factors.

    If you need any of these programs, contact your states Department of Health and Social Services. You can also use the screening tool available on Benefits.gov to see what programs you might qualify for. While it isnt a determination of benefits, its a good place to start.

    Programs That Help Paying Medical Bills And Home Care For The Elderly

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    Medicare is one of the options available to seniors when it comes to health insurance. Nevertheless, you can also get assistance with your medical bills through other public programs. Considering many retirees live on a fixed income, paying for quality healthcare could be extremely challenging, if not impossible. However, there is no need to fret. The following options are available to you:

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    Food & Nutrition Programs

    Maybe Mom can pay the mortgage, but putting food on the table and keeping the fridge and cupboards stocked with healthy options has been a challenge since your Dad died. Nutrition is essential to good health. Explore these programs to ensure your older loved one has access to healthy foods:

      My Aging Parent Needs Access to Healthy Foods

      The Emergency Food Assistance Program : Administered by the Department of Agriculture, this program is focused on low-income seniors who need access to nutritious foods.

      Brown Bag Program: Each state has its own version of this program, but by reaching out to your local food bank, you’ll find out what fresh fruits, vegetables and more may be available to your aging parents.

      Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program : Each state may call this program something different, but if your senior loved one is eligible, he’d get access to a monthly stipend for fresh, nutritious foods based on income level and how many people live in the home.

      My Dad Is Struggling to Keep Food in His Pantry

      Feeding America Network of Food Banks: Across the country, this organization serves community seniors in need via 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs.

      My Mom Loves Organic Food But Is on a Fixed Income

      Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program: Does Mom live in an area where farmers markets are prevalent? Organic, locally grown foods can be expensive, but these coupon booklets available to seniors can mitigate the food bill.

    Programs And Financial Assistance For The Elderly & Seniors

    People over 55 usually 55 years of age and older can benefit from several types of assistance. You can find a number of assistance programs and community resources that cater specifically to your specific needs. There are many resources available through the federal government, the state of residence, local Aging offices, charities, and social service centers, including those listed below by state.

    Depending on the state, county, and agency, different kinds of assistance are available. For instance, some government benefit programs, such as Medicare, financial Assistance, home care, and emergency transfers to pay for drugs and other important bills, are examples. There is no doubt that assistance programs are extremely helpful to seniors who are already retired, whether or not they suffer from medical problems.

    The older population has access to other resources as well. How? There are numerous services available, but we could name a few: free assistance centers for the elderly, Free home health care for seniors, Free employment resources and services for seniors , free food pantries & food banks Helping seniors with free food, and Meals on Wheels deliveries for seniors. People reaching so-called status of older people in the population pyramid are more likely to need assistance, information, and advice as their population ages. For this reason, so many programs are available.

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    Free Mobile Or Landlines For Seniors

    that offer discounts on monthly bills in addition to the free mobile service. In partnership with national and regional telecommunications companies, states use grants from the federal government to offer these programs. Lifeline and Link-Up both offer assistance in paying monthly fees and connection fees. Free high-speed internet is also available through these programs.

    How Your Snap Benefits Work

    Will $500 for Canadian seniors be enough to help them?
    • 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:

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    Government Assistance For Housing

    Finding affordable housing is often difficult, especially if you live in a high cost of living area. These government-run housing programs can help keep you in your home.

    Down payment assistance programs

    If youre interested in buying a home, but need help with the down payment, there are a number of FHA grants available. Be sure to check the eligibility requirements for each grant, as they vary from program to program and state to state.

    You might also be able to get assistance from a VA loan or USDA loan as well.

    Affordable housing

    There are a number of government programs that help with paying rent, as well as a number of private charities and organizations. To qualify for HUD assistance, you must meet income eligibility requirements as well as guidelines for family size and composition. The type and amount of assistance varies from state to state.

    HUD is offering $112M in grants available to expand #affordablehousing for low-income persons with disabilities. AND, for the first time in nearly a decade, new grants to build more!

    The three main programs supported by HUD are:

    • Privately-owned subsidized housing
    • Public Housing
    • Housing Choice Vouchers

    You can find out if you qualify for one of these programs by contacting your local housing authority. Please note that in most areas, the Section 8 waiting list is incredibly long and in some cities, the list is closed to new applicants.

    Foreclosure prevention

    The Emergency Food Assistance Program

    The USDA operates a program called The Emergency Food Assistance Program, or TEFAP. This program is designed to help supplement the diets of low income Americans and specifically offers free food for seniors. This program does not provide money for food it provides food directly.

    According to the USDA website, the government purchases a variety of nutritious, high-quality USDA foods and gives that food to State Distributing Agencies. Each state receives a certain amount of food, which is passed on to food banks, soup kitchens and agencies like the Community Action Council that can distribute the food directly to low income people.

    Each state handles this program a little differently, but its always worth reaching out to your local Community Action Agency for help. Let them know you need help with food, and they may just be able to help you get some of that food from the Emergency Food Assistance Program!

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