Accessing Public and Private Benefits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, Energy Assistance/LIHEAP, Prescription Drug Assistance and food stamps are just some of the programs available to assist older Americans in meeting their basic needs. Yet experts estimate that nearly four million eligible low-income older people are not getting the benefits they deserve because they are not familiar with criteria or the process of accessing federal or state assistance to ease their monthly financial obligations. Still others refrain because of the programs’ overwhelming application procedures; while some simply are too embarrassed to rely on governmental support systems.
The AARP Foundation Benefits Outreach Program has developed community education and volunteer assistance programs to facilitate understanding and access to public benefits by older Americans.
The AARP Foundation is also the National Outreach Partner for BenefitsCheckUp – a comprehensive, Web-based screening tool designed to assist older low- and moderate- income people, their families and caregivers to determine eligibility for federal, state or other benefits. This powerful interactive tool, developed by the National Council on the Aging (NCOA), offers information, identifies benefits and teachers individuals how to apply if they eligible.
What You Can Do
Your generous support of our modest budget would significantly improve our ability to expand program services to even more deserving, and unknowing, audiences. Your support will help us develop and translate more materials, conduct research and information on state-specific projects, procure licenses for NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp and cover media costs to publicize the program to older Americans.
