Get the Benefits You’re Entitled To

Are you getting the government benefits you’re entitled to? Millions of older Americans aren’t. Seniors Guide writer Kari Smith looks at three assistance programs and how eligible Americans can enroll.

Recent data highlights a troubling gap in benefits enrollment among older Americans. Nearly nine million people aged 65 and over with limited incomes are eligible for crucial programs that can assist with food, health care, and other daily expenses, but they have yet to enroll. This underutilization of benefits varies widely by state, with national participation rates ranging from a low of 30% to 49%.

Wondering how your area adds up? The informative Benefits Participation Map sheds light on national and regional participation rates for three key programs:

Three key benefits programs

For you or a loved one, these three programs are ready to help eligible seniors or people with disabilities. This overview can help you understand the benefits you may be entitled to.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The SNAP initiative, formerly known as food stamps, is the largest federal food assistance program designed to help individuals, families, and people with disabilities purchase nutritious food. Benefits are transferred to recipients via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which is used just like a debit card to purchase eligible food in most grocery stores.

Most foods can be purchased with a SNAP card, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, breads and cereals, and beverages. You may also use SNAP to buy seeds and plants at many farmers markets to grow food for your household. SNAP may not be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco products, vitamins or supplements, pet food, or most prepared foods.

Despite nearly 9 million older adults being eligible, only 30% of those are currently enrolled in SNAP.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The federal SSI program provides monthly cash aid to seniors over age 65 with limited income and resources, as well as those of any age with disabilities. These benefits can help with basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. The Social Security Administration sets income and resource limits for this program, and these limits may vary from year to year. Although this is a federal initiative, some states provide additional supplemental payments.

Over 2.3 million older adults qualify for SSI, but nearly half (49%) have not taken advantage of it.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs):

Medicare Savings Programs help cover premiums, deductibles, and co-insurance for health care costs.

Applications for Medicare Savings Programs are processed through the applicant’s state, and your state will determine what programs you qualify for, based on your income and resources.

Although almost 5.8 million older adults are eligible for these savings programs, less than half (only 46%) are enrolled.

Related: Social Security considerations for couples

Are you eligible?

For older adults seeking assistance, BenefitsCheckUp® offers a valuable resource. Operated by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a nonprofit service and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC, this free service helps individuals aged 55 and over discover and enroll in both public and private benefits programs. It is the most comprehensive online tool available for connecting seniors and people with disabilities to benefits assistance. It simplifies the process of determining eligibility and guides users on where to apply. The platform allows users to:

Assess eligibility

By anonymously answering a series of questions, you can find out if you might qualify for benefits like SNAP, Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) – Extra Help, and more.

Get application assistance

BenefitsCheckUp helps you identify where to apply online or how to seek help from a benefits counselor. To start exploring your options, visit BenefitsCheckUp to take the first step toward securing the assistance you may need.

Ensuring that you’re receiving the benefits you’re entitled to can significantly impact quality of life in a positive way, providing essential support for managing daily expenses and maintaining health.

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