Financial Tips for Seniors

National Council on Aging
www.benefitscheckup.org

Quiz advises seniors on their eligibility for programs that may help pay for medications, food, utilities, health care, housing, in-home services, transportation, and employment training.

Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/stopwork.html

Retirement calculators include variables such as retirement age, stop work age, and survivor’s benefits.

United States Department of Health and Human Services
www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/fsis-content/internet/main/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/additional-recall-links/state-departments-of-public-health/ct_index

Provides public health contact information for all states.

United States Department of Health and Human Services
https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/

Allows users to locate HRSA Health Centers, which provide medical care to individuals who have no health insurance. Includes checkups, treatment for illnesses, dental care, and help with prescription drug costs.

University of Alabama Law School Clinical Program
www.law.ua.edu/elderlaw/assistance.html

Summary of social programs available to assist with income. Includes sections on food stamps, senior Rx, and help with utilities.

Justice in Aging
justiceinaging.org

Partners with state and federal agencies to ensure essential government programs are accessible to qualified seniors. Offers webinars, publications, and consultations related to the legal needs of older adults.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
www.medicaid.gov/state-resource-center/innovation-accelerator-program/innovation-accelerator-program.html External

Summarizes the Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program, which launched in 2014 with the goal of improving health care to Medicaid beneficiaries through state-run programs.

Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov/medicare

Allows users to apply for Medicare online. Provides information on applying for help with prescription costs; examining the benefits of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D; and replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged Medicare card.

Center for Medicare Advocacy
www.medicareadvocacy.org/medicare-info/medicare-coverage-appeals/

A nonprofit, non-partisan, public-interest law firm that advocates for Medicare and quality health care on behalf of older and disabled people. Provides forms and instructions for appeals. Of special interest to caretakers.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
www.medicare.gov

Directs older adults and their families to information on key Medicare-related topics, including where to sign up for Medicare, how to change plans, the benefits of Medicare drug coverage, and where to find Medicare forms for claims and appeals. Provides a searchable database of medical providers who take Medicare.

www.MedicareInteractive.org

Medicare Interactive provides Medicare-related information on topics such as eligibility and enrollment, coverage, rights and protections, health plan options, prescription drugs, and programs for people with lower income.

Medicare Rights Center
www.medicarerights.org

Nonprofit organization working to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities. Provides a free online reference tool designed to help older adults and people with disabilities navigate the complex world of health insurance. Offers a general introduction to Medicare using video-based e-learning.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-program/medicare-savings-programs.html External

Describes the four Medicare savings programs: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), Qualifying Individual (QI), and Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI).

www.ncpssm.org

Provides general information and recent news related to Social Security and Medicare.

United States Department of the Interior
https://store.usgs.gov/senior-annual

Lifetime pass to national parks for seniors.

USA.gov
www.usa.gov/retirement

Basics on retirement planning and pension benefits such as how Social Security works, retiring from the civil service and managing a private pension.

Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov/retire/ 

Allows users to apply for retirement benefits like Social Security and Medicare, return to a saved application, and check the application status. Provides a Social Security calculator that identifies spousal and retirement benefits.

Medicaid.gov
www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/medicaid-enrollees/index.html 

What Medicaid Covers for Medicare enrollees.

SHIP National Technical Assistance Center
www.shiptacenter.org

Administered by Medicare and run by the states, SHIP helps seniors cover their out-of-pocket Medicare costs. Allows users to search by state for information on Medicare Savings Programs and Part D Low Income Subsidies.

United Way
211 toll-free
www.211.org

Offers information on prescription-assistance services and medical transportation options for seniors, either via a searchable online database or a 24-hour hotline that connects callers with service professionals in their area.

Medicare Rights Center
800-633-4227
www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/programs-for-people-with-limited-income/the-extra-help-program

Provides forms and eligibility requirements for a program that pays the cost of Medicare prescription drug coverage for lower income seniors. Seniors on Medicaid automatically qualify.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
www.medicare.gov/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/ 

Provides an alphabetical list of prescription drugs linked to information about assistance programs sponsored by pharmaceutical companies.

RXAssist
www.rxassist.org/

Information on patient assistance programs run by pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. Offers a comprehensive database of these patient assistance programs, as well as tools, news, and articles.

National PACE Association
www.pace4you.org 

Program seeks to help low-income seniors living in PACE service areas stay independent by providing prescription drug and nursing home level care. Provides Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage as well as all other necessary medication without copayments or gaps in coverage.

National Conference of State Legislatures
www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-pharmaceutical-assistance-programs.aspx

Provides a state-by-state summary of programs that use state funds to pay a portion of medication costs for individuals. Includes links to PDF copies of relevant forms.

www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide

Identifies documents to bring to a session with a tax-aid volunteer, shares tax tips for older adults and their caregivers, and lists tax-aid volunteers by ZIP code or county.

Internal Revenue Service
IRS.gov/Pub907

Instructions on preparing taxes for persons with disabilities, recent developments, and links to addition items people with disabilities, their friends, and caretakers find useful.

Internal Revenue Service
IRS.gov/Pub907

Instructions on preparing taxes for persons with disabilities, recent developments, and links to addition items people with disabilities, their friends, and caretakers find useful.

Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.gov/individuals/seniors-retirees/frequently-asked-questions-for-seniors >

Answers tax questions frequently asked by seniors.

Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.gov/uac/IRS.gov-Accessibility

Provides accessible forms and publications and explains accessibility features of the IRS website. Videos in American Sign Language are available.

Internal Revenue Service
http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep 

Helps locate local establishments providing free tax preparation assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. VITA serves individuals whose income is $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English speakers. TCE offers free tax help to individuals who are 60 or older. TCE specializes in questions regarding pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.

http://catholiccharitiesusa.org

Provides searchable list of local Catholic Charities that may provide low-cost food, housing programs, and help with rent and utilities.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
http://liheap.org

Lists local Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs by state. Describes state eligibility requirements and provides links to applications.

United States Environmental Protection Agency
www3.epa.gov/watersense

Provides information on water-saving fixtures and offers rebates on toilets, faucets, and shower heads with the WaterSense label.

United States Environmental Protection Agency
www3.epa.gov/watersense

Provides information on water-saving fixtures and offers rebates on toilets, faucets, and shower heads with the WaterSense label.

United States Department of Energy (DOE)
http://energy.gov/eere/wipo/weatherization-assistance-program>

Lists weatherization program grants by state and describes how weatherization can reduce heating bills. Also includes United States Housing and Urban Development Multifamily Property listings eligible for the problem.

AARP (formerly American Association of Retired Persons)
www.aarp.org/work

Articles focus on all aspects of career and work after the age of 55, including changing jobs, opening your own business, and staying competitive. Can be searched by job location and interests.

Office of Disability Employment Policy
www.dol.gov/odep/topics/Accommodations.htm

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations explained.

National Experienced Workforce Solutions
https://newsolutions.org/jobs/

Shares job openings available to experienced workers over the age of 55 through the Senior Environmental Employment program and the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services program. Allows users to find field offices by state and submit applications online.

www.experienceworks.org 

Delivers job training to low-income people who are older. Provides a free career-match tool, a list of field offices searchable by state, and a community message board.

Senior Service America
www.seniorserviceamerica.org/our-impact/our-programs

Operates employment programs for America’s seniors in collaboration with federal programs such as Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Senior Environmental Employment Program (SEE), and the Agricultural Conservation Experienced Services Program (ACES) at the state level.

United States Department of Labor
www.dol.gov/odep/topics/OlderWorkers.htm

Information on disability employment and older workers.

Department of Labor
www.doleta.gov/seniors 

Work-based job training program for Americans 55 or older who have a family income of no more than 125% of the federal poverty level and are unemployed. Focuses on community service activities at nonprofit and public facilities in an employee’s local area. Enrollment priority is given to veterans.

Corporation for National and Community Service
www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps 

Connects volunteers ages 55 and over with people and organizations in their community.

NHC Group, Inc.
www.seniorjobbank.org

Provides a jobs database for older job seekers searchable by job title, keyword, company, city, state, or ZIP code.