Did you know there are public and private programs that help eligible low-income older adults pay for health care, prescriptions, food, and utilities and more? Assistance may come in the form of a voucher, discount for goods, and free or discounted services. Yet millions of eligible older adults are missing out on these benefits because they don’t know about the programs or how to apply.

In fact, older adults who qualify for assistance programs but are not enrolled leave $58 billion in benefits on the table every year.¹

Explore NCOA's You Gave, Now Save guide for a snapshot of the benefits programs available for older adults, who may be eligible, and how to get more information and application help.

How can this guide help me?

Developed in partnership with USAging (formerly the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging or n4a), NCOA's You Gave, Now Save guide includes details on benefits related to:

• Health care and prescriptions: Learn about Medicare Part D Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, and other programs that can reduce your out-of-pocket health care and prescription drug costs.
• Food: Learn about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other programs that can help you buy nutritious food at the grocery store and farmers' markets.
• Housing and household utilities: Explore the Low Income Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) and other benefits that can help you pay for home heating and cooling costs, as well as weatherizing your home and getting help with paying your mortgage and rent.
• Income, tax, and legal support: Find how to get a reduction on your property taxes and where to go for free or low-cost legal services.
• Other benefits: Discover information on transportation programs, and special benefits for certain populations, including veterans.

The guide was updated in December 2021 with new information and contact details.

Please contact the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to request print copies of this guide.

Where can I get more help finding benefits programs?

Several resources are available to help seniors and their caregivers identify and apply for programs that can save them money on health care, food, household utilities, and more:

• NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp®: BenefitsCheckUp connects millions of older adults and people with disabilities with benefits programs available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Just enter your ZIP code and answer a few quick questions to see what's offered in your area.
• The Eldercare Locator: This is a public information service that serves as a trusted gateway for older adults and caregivers searching for information on benefits, home and community-based services, transportation, and more. Call toll-free or send a text message to 1-800-677-1116 weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. You can also start a live chat with a trained staff member.
• Benefits Enrollment Centers (BECs): NCOA supports a nationwide network of Benefits Enrollment Centers, which offer personalized, one-on-one assistance to people with Medicare to help them find and enroll in all of the benefits for which they may be eligible.
• Your local SHIP: State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) provide free, unbiased counseling on Medicare, Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), Part D Extra Help, and other options that can help you pay for health care. Use the SHIP Locator to find one near you or call the national SHIP helpline at 1-877-839-2675.

You can also check with your local senior centers and community organizations. Many of these places offer benefits screenings for older adults, application assistance, and referrals to additional resources.

Source

1.  National Council on Aging. Estimation of National, State, and Substate Program Participation Rates for Adults 65 and Older. March 2026. Found on the internet at https://assets.ncoa.org/ffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca/3462824a-d7e9-4ddb-a936-7c2172599005/Estimated_Program_Participation_Rates_for_Adults_65_and_Older_2023.pdf