April 12th 2024
By Ari Parker
Discover 10 resources available for seniors with low income, including government programs, community resources, and nonprofit organizations.
By Jordan McElwain
More than 17 million Americans 65 and older are living below the poverty line. Unfortunately, the percentage of older adults in poverty has grown over time as the cost of living increases across the country. These older Americans are struggling to keep up with healthcare bills, rising housing costs, inadequate nutrition, and access to transportation, among other things. If you or a loved one is struggling financially, know that resources are available to help. Keep reading to explore how to access resources and programs designed to help seniors with low income.
A rising number of older Americans are living below the poverty line.
Various federal programs, such as Medicare/Medicaid, SNAP, and SSI/SSDI, are designed to help seniors with low income.
States and local communities have organizations and senior services departments that help fulfill the needs of low-income seniors.
While Medicare provides health insurance for people aged 65 and older or with certain disabilities, Medicaid offers assistance to people with low incomes and resources. Though the programs are different, they can work together if you are dual-eligible, which means you qualify for both programs. People who are dual-eligible can receive extra support with utilities, food assistance, rent, groceries, and more.
>> Learn more about Medicare and Medicaid and review qualifications for dual eligibility.
Medicare Extra Help is a government program that helps reduce healthcare costs for prescription drugs through Medicare. You automatically get Extra Help if you have Medicaid coverage, receive state assistance paying for your Part B premium, or receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you aren’t automatically enrolled in Extra Help and you need assistance, you can submit an application.
>> Learn more about Medicare Extra Help.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly payments to people who can’t work due to a disability. To qualify, you must have worked for 5 of the last 10 years and have a disability that affects your ability to work. You’ll also automatically enroll in Medicare 2 years after you begin receiving Disability benefits. Learn more about SSDI and submit an application online.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is another need-based federal program that provides financial assistance to adults 65 and older with limited income and resources. To qualify, you must have little or no income or resources, and you must be 65 or older or have a disability. The income requirements can change, but you must earn less than $2,019 per month and have less than $2,000 in resources as an individual to be eligible for SSI. If you meet the criteria, you can receive monthly cash payments to help cover basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. You can apply for SSI on the Social Security website.
>> The difference between SSI and SSDI can be confusing—learn more about both programs.
SNAP benefits provide essential assistance for low-income seniors struggling to afford nutritious food. Eligibility requirements vary by state but are based on income, household size, and household expenses. While income requirements depend on your state, seniors receiving SSI or SSDI often meet the criteria for SNAP eligibility. Use this state directory to learn more about your state's SNAP program and apply for benefits.
Local food banks are another resource for seniors struggling to afford food. Typically, food banks are community-based organizations that collect, store, and distribute food to those in need, including seniors living on limited incomes. You can search for food banks in your area online or visit feedingamerica.org. For seniors who can’t shop for groceries or prepare meals themselves, Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals with the help of local volunteers.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps with energy costs, like heating and cooling bills. This program reduces health and safety problems that can occur when we use unsafe heating and cooling situations and practices. Similarly, the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides assistance for low-income households with their water and wastewater bills. To apply, contact your local LIHEAP office.
Elder law clinics provide free or low-cost legal assistance to seniors facing various legal issues, including housing disputes, consumer rights, healthcare access, and estate planning. They can also be helpful when enrolling in SSI/SSDI benefits. You can find an attorney through the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) or your local bar association.
Nonprofits can help provide social support and address the unique challenges that older adults living on limited incomes face. One prominent organization is AARP, which provides educational materials, community events, and discounts on various products and services for its members. Many states have senior service departments that rent durable medical equipment, provide insurance assistance, answer healthcare questions, and set residents up with home safety services. Find local aging organizations in your area.
Here are some non-profit organizations that help seniors with limited incomes, organized by state:
| State | Programs |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Elderly Assistance Program, Project SHARE |
| Alaska | Wasilla Area Seniors, The Older Alaskans Program (OAP) |
| Arizona | AllThrive365, Benevilla, Duet, Arizona Senior Citizens Law Project |
| Arkansas | Kind at Heart, CareLink, Area Agency on Aging |
| California | All Seniors Foundation, Avenidas, Pets are Wonderful Support (PAWS), Bet Tzedek, Older Californians Nutrition Program |
| Colorado | A Little Help, Castle Rock Senior Activity Center, Cultivate, Bright Leaf, Denver Inner City Parish, Silver Key Senior Services |
| Connecticut | HomeFront, Connecticut Foodshare, Consumer Law Project for Elders |
| Delaware | Village Volunteers, Delaware Foundation for Senior Citizen Home Shares, Wilmington Senior Center |
| District of Columbia | Northwest Neighbors Village, Iona, Vida Senior Centers, DC Villages, Sarah’s Circle Nutrition Services, DC Central Kitchen |
| Florida | SeniorsFirst, Heart2Heart, Dr. Piper Center, Seniors Intervention Group, Shepherd’s Hope |
| Georgia | Senior Citizens, Inc., Good Pill Pharmacy, Neighbor in Need |
| Hawaii | Catholic Charities Hawai’i, Na Hoaloha |
| Idaho | Twin Falls Senior Center, Elderly Opportunity Agency (EOA), Dirk Eardley Senior Center |
| Illinois | Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (HOME), Center of Concern, Good Pill Pharmacy, Illinois Legal Aid Community Care Program, Greater Chicago Food Depository, |
| Indiana | Flanner House, Meals on Wheels Northwest Indiana |
| Iowa | Jasper Country Community Center Senior Nutrition, The Iowa Cafe Program |
| Kansas | CHAMPSS, Kansas Food Bank |
| Kentucky | Dare to Care, Meals on Wheels Lexington |
| Louisiana | Feeding Louisiana, Easterseals Louisiana, Catholic Charities, Kinship Senior Center, |
| Maine | Catholic Charities, SeniorsPlus, Spectrum Generations |
| Maryland | Action in Maturity, SeniorConnection, Good Pill Pharmacy, Partners in Care |
| Massachusetts | Friendship Works, Greater Lynn Senior Services, AgeSpan, MinuteMan Senior Services, |
| Michigan | AgeWays, Coastline, Senior Services Midland |
| Minnesota | Help At Your Door, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota |
| Mississippi | NextAge Mississippi, Community Action of South Mississippi |
| Missouri | St. Andrew’s Charitable Foundation, KC Shepherd’s Center, Care Connection, AgingMatters, Circle of Care |
| Montana | Big Sky Senior Services, Immanuel Foundation |
| Nebraska | Tabitha, Legal Aid of Nebraska, Nebraska Save Our Seniors, Volunteers Assisting Seniors |
| Nevada | Nevada Senior Services, Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, The Foundation Assisting Seniors, Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada |
| New Hampshire | Catholic Charities New Hampshire, The Gibson Center for Senior Services, Nashua Senior Activity Center, Easterseals NH Senior Services |
| New Jersey | Senior Citizens United Community Services, Wallerstein Foundation, Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving |
| New Mexico | Silver Horizons, Adelante, Serving Seniors, Roadrunner Food Bank |
| New York | New York Foundation for Senior Citizens, Encore Community Services, Citymeals on Wheels |
| North Carolina | Durham Center for Senior Life, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Bread for Life Senior Pantry |
| North Dakota | Valley Senior Services, Burleigh Country Senior Adults Program |
| Ohio | Ohio Living, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio |
| Oklahoma | LIFE Senior Services, Aging Services, Inc., Regional Foodbank of Oklahoma Senior Servings Program, |
| Oregon | Easterseals Oregon, The Community for Positive Aging, Friendly House, Age+, FOOD for Lane County, Village Without Walls, Marion Polk Food Share |
| Pennsylvania | Twilight Wish Foundation, Berks Encore, Philabundance |
| Rhode Island | United Way Rhode Island, Meals on Wheels Senior Wish Initiative, Capital City Cafe Program |
| South Carolina | Senior Resources, Inc., Charleston Area Senior Citizens |
| South Dakota | Huron South Dakota, Good Samaritan Sanford Health, United Living Community, The Center, Western South Dakota Community Action |
| Tennessee | Second Harvest Food Bank, Seeds of Services for Seniors, St. Luke’s Community House, AgeWell Middle Tennessee, FiftyForward |
| Texas | The Texas Ramp Project, Drive a Senior ATX, The Senior Source |
| Utah | Senior Charity Care, Utah Food Bank |
| Vermont | Green Mountain RSVP, HANDS, Senior Solutions, FEAST Senior Meals Program |
| Virginia | Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia, Central Virginia Alliance for Community Living, The Span Center, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia |
| Washington | Homage, Sound Generations, Easterseals Washington |
| West Virginia | Wood County Senior Citizens Association, Senior Monongalians, Kanawha Valley Senior Services |
| Wisconsin | Eras Senior Network, Love Thy Neighbor Foundation, Community Projects for Seniors, NewBridge |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Senior Citizens, Eppson Center for Seniors |
Transportation can be a significant challenge for seniors, particularly those with limited mobility or financial resources. Many communities offer transportation services for older adults, including discounted or free public transportation, volunteer-driven programs, and rideshare services. Certain Medicare Advantage plans also provide transportation assistance, especially if you are dual-eligible.
Navigating life with low income can be difficult, but remember that help is available. For Medicare and Social Security support, you can get in touch with a licensed Medicare Advisor— call us at 855-900-2427, or schedule a time to chat for free advice tailored to your situation.
