If it feels like your money just doesn’t go as far as it used to, you’re not alone. The cost of groceries, rent, utilities, and health care has gone up, and even small price increases can make a big difference when you’re living on Social Security or a limited income. One unexpected expense, like a medical bill or home repair,  can quickly throw your budget off track.

But there is help available. Government and community benefits programs are designed to help older adults pay for everyday needs like food, prescriptions, and utilities. These programs can ease the pressure and help you stay stable, even during tough times.

Benefits that can help you 'Boost Your Budget'

Many older adults are eligible for government benefits for seniors but never apply. Programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Part D Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help) can help make essentials more affordable—covering costs for food, health care, prescription medications, Medicare premiums, utility bills, and more. Even if you’ve been denied in the past, your eligibility may have changed.

Held each April, NCOA’s Boost Your Budget® Week highlights these money-saving programs and encourages older adults and caregivers counselors to explore available support.

There are many factors that may discourage an older adult from applying for benefits programs. Take David, age 75, a Veteran who is living with a disability. Through the help of NCOA's nationwide network of Benefits Enrollment Centers (BECs), David enrolled in SNAP, as well as a utility support benefit.

David and his wife now save hundreds of dollars per year and can rest easy knowing their basic needs are no longer out of reach.

How to find local resources near you

Finding and applying for benefits can feel confusing. That’s where NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp® can help.

BenefitsCheckUp is a free, confidential tool that connects older adults and people with disabilities to programs that may help pay for:

• Groceries
• Health care
• Prescription drugs
• Utilities
• Housing
• Transportation

There’s no registration required, and it only takes a few minutes to check your eligibility. Whether you’re applying for yourself, helping a loved one, or assisting someone as a benefits counselor, BenefitsCheckUp makes it easier to find support.

If you need help finding benefits or using BenefitsCheckUp, there are several ways to get support:

• Call NCOA’s Helpline at 1-877-293-8875, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. EST for one-on-one guidance.
• Call 211 or 877-541-7905 for local referrals to programs and services.
• Visit a Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) to get in-person help with applications and questions. Check if there’s one near you.
• Use the ElderCare Locator to find:
  • Help applying for SNAP, Medicaid, or other benefits
  • Meal delivery and nutrition programs
  • Transportation and in-home services
  • Medicare counseling (through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program or SHIP)
  • Caregiver support, including respite care and education

When using the ElderCare Locator, search by ZIP code or city/state online, call 1-800-677-1116, or email eldercarelocator@usaging.org.

You’ve worked hard your whole life, and you deserve support when you need it. Programs are available to help with groceries, health care, utilities, and other everyday expenses—and finding out if you qualify only takes a few minutes. Whether you use BenefitsCheckUp, call a helpline, or connect with a local agency, help is out there. Taking that first step today could make your budget feel a little easier tomorrow.

This publication was supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $14,707,650.00 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS or the U.S. Government.