Retirees can tap help for groceries, heating and Medicare costs — but many are missing out

Millions of low-income older Americans are overlooking programs that can help cover medical expenses, groceries, utility bills and other everyday costs.

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According to data from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), more than 9 million older adults who qualify for benefits are not enrolling.

In total, the NCOA estimates that about $58 billion in assistance that could help pay for basic necessities is going unclaimed.

The group says many older adults may wrongly think they do not qualify, while others may not realize these programs exist at all.

Thousands in possible aid

For low-income seniors who are not collecting the benefits they qualify for, the amounts left unused can be substantial.

The NCOA analysis focuses on three programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs).

Only 38% of eligible people age 65 and older took part in SNAP in 2023, the NCOA found. That means an estimated 9.1 million eligible people did not claim food assistance.

That works out to $188 a month, or $2,256 a year, in SNAP benefits that people are missing, based on the 2023 average benefit for households with an adult age 60 or older.

For SSI, 40% of eligible people participated in 2023, leaving 3.6 million people without those benefits. That equals $552.29 a month, or $6,627.48 a year, using the December 2023 average for adults 65 and older.

As for MSPs, which help pay Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance, 49% of eligible people claimed the benefit, meaning 6.6 million were not enrolled. That amounts to $164.90 a month, or $1,978.80 a year, based on the standard Part B premium for 2023.

Altogether, someone eligible for all three programs could receive $10,862.28 a year to help cover essential living expenses, using 2023 benefit levels.

Additional assistance is also available. People who qualify for the Medicare Savings Program, as well as those who receive SSI, automatically qualify for Extra Help, a program that reduces Medicare drug coverage costs and other Part D expenses.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can also help lower energy bills for eligible households. It is run at the state level.

Why benefits go unclaimed

Older adults can run into several obstacles when trying to apply for help.

Tiara Green, president of the nonprofit Accessia Health, told the Washington Post that people seeking aid may struggle with paperwork, separate applications, different eligibility rules and multiple government agencies.

“The larger problem is that the assistance system is fragmented,” Green said.

Courtney Bragg, co-founder and CEO of Fabric Health, described the range of aid programs as an “alphabet soup” in the Post’s report and said older adults are especially vulnerable to scammers.

Bragg said that risk can be especially high during open enrollment periods, pointing to a “predatory environment for seniors.”

For older adults looking for help, Bragg suggests beginning with official government sources or trusted organizations.

Where to find help

The NCOA offers a benefits search tool that can help people see which programs they may qualify for. It also has a phone help line at 1-800-794-6559.

There is also a map of affiliated partners and programs, including senior centers, for those who prefer in-person assistance.

For Medicare help, people can contact their State Health Insurance Assistance Program for free counseling.

Another option is a local Area Agency on Aging, which can be found through the Eldercare locator.

Consumers should stay alert for scams, since government agencies do not charge fees to help people receive benefits.

Many older adults are unaware that these programs exist, while others incorrectly assume they are not eligible.