There is a safety net of programs designed to help you.
The financial pressures on seniors with a fixed income in 2025 are immense. The rising cost of housing, healthcare, and everyday goods can make it incredibly difficult to make ends meet. The good news is that you are not alone, and there is a robust safety net of federal, state, and local programs designed specifically to help older adults with their financial challenges.
Navigating these programs can be confusing, but knowing they exist is the first and most important step to getting the help you need.
1. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) BenefitsCheckUp tool.
This is the single best place to start your search. The BenefitsCheckUp tool, which is a free and confidential service from the National Council on Aging, is an online questionnaire that can help you find all of the federal, state, and local benefits you may be eligible for. It screens for over 2,500 different programs across the country, from prescription drug assistance to property tax relief, as reported by NCOA.
This is the most comprehensive and user-friendly tool available, and it can help you uncover a huge variety of programs you may not have even known existed, all in one place.
2. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The SNAP program, often still referred to as “food stamps,” is a federal program that provides low-income seniors with a monthly stipend to help pay for groceries. The benefit is provided on an electronic EBT card, which can be used just like a debit card at most grocery stores and farmers markets. Many seniors who are eligible for the program do not apply because of a perceived stigma, as shared by HelpGuide.org.
It is an essential program that can significantly improve your nutrition and free up money in your budget for other critical expenses, like medication or utilities.
3. Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs).
For low-income seniors who are on Medicare, the monthly premiums, deductibles, and co-pays can be a major financial burden. The Medicare Savings Programs are a set of federally funded programs, run by each state, that can help to pay for some or all of these costs. Depending on your income, these programs can pay for your Medicare Part B premium, which can save you over a hundred dollars every single month, according to CNBC.
These programs are one of the most underutilized benefits available to seniors, and they can provide a huge amount of direct financial relief.
4. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The LIHEAP program is a federal program that provides financial assistance to low-income households to help them manage the cost of their home energy bills. This can include help with both your heating and cooling costs, which can be a lifesaver during a brutal winter cold snap or a summer heatwave. The program can provide a one-time payment directly to your utility company.
In some cases, the program can also provide assistance with weatherization and energy-related home repairs to make your home more energy-efficient and to lower your bills in the long term.
5. The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).
For older adults who want or need to continue working, the SCSEP is a federal program that provides paid, part-time job training for low-income, unemployed seniors who are 55 and older. The program helps older adults to gain new skills and to build their confidence, all while earning a paycheck. The goal is to help them transition into unsubsidized employment.
The program places seniors in a wide variety of community service roles at non-profits and public facilities, such as schools, hospitals, and senior centers. It’s a fantastic resource for those who are looking for work.
6. Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA).
This is not a single program, but a nationwide network of over 600 local organizations that are a one-stop shop for senior services. Your local AAA is the best resource for connecting you with a huge variety of local and state programs, from meal delivery services and transportation assistance to help with finding in-home care and caregiver support.
Every county has one, and they are the on-the-ground experts in the resources that are available in your specific community. A simple phone call to your local agency can be the key to unlocking a world of support.
7. Meals on Wheels America.
For seniors who are homebound or who have difficulty cooking for themselves, the Meals on Wheels program is an absolute lifeline. This famous non-profit organization delivers nutritious, prepared meals directly to a senior’s home, usually on a daily basis. The program not only provides a healthy meal but also a vital safety check from a friendly volunteer.
For many isolated seniors, the Meals on Wheels volunteer is the only person they may see all day. It is a crucial service that provides both nutritional and social support, helping seniors to continue living independently in their own homes.
8. Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
It’s important to understand the difference between Social Security retirement benefits, which are based on your work history, and Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. The SSI program is a separate, federal program that provides a monthly cash payment to low-income seniors who are 65 or older, or to people of any age who are blind or disabled, regardless of their work history.
For a senior who has a very limited work history and is not eligible for a significant Social Security retirement benefit, the SSI program can be an essential source of income to help pay for basic needs like food and shelter.
9. State and local property tax relief programs.
The burden of property taxes can be one of the biggest financial challenges for seniors who own their homes. To help with this, many state and local governments offer a variety of property tax relief programs specifically for older adults. These can include a “homestead exemption,” which reduces the assessed value of your home, or a “circuit breaker” program, which provides a credit if your property taxes exceed a certain percentage of your income.
Here in California, the Property Tax Postponement Program allows eligible seniors to defer their property tax payments. It’s essential to check with your local tax assessor’s office to see what programs are available.
10. The Eldercare Locator.
If you are not sure where to even begin your search for help, the Eldercare Locator is the perfect starting point. It is a nationwide, free public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, and it can be accessed through a website or a toll-free phone number. You can simply enter your zip code, and it will provide you with a list of trusted, local organizations that can help with your specific needs.
It is a fantastic and reliable tool that can help you navigate the often-confusing world of senior services and connect you with the resources that are available right in your own community.
11. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs).
Navigating the complexities of Medicare can be incredibly difficult, and making the wrong choice can be very costly. Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, that provides free, in-depth, and unbiased one-on-one counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries. The counselors are highly trained volunteers who can help you understand your options.
They can help you choose the right supplemental plan, find a prescription drug plan that covers your medications, and screen you for the low-income assistance programs. They do not sell insurance; they are just there to help you.
12. The Lifeline and ACP programs for phone and internet.
Staying connected is essential for seniors, and two federal programs can help to make it more affordable. The Lifeline program has been around for decades and provides a monthly discount on either a landline or a cell phone service for low-income households. More recently, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was created to provide a similar discount on high-speed internet service.
These programs are crucial for ensuring that seniors can stay in touch with their families, access telehealth services, and connect with the online world without the burden of a high monthly bill.