Many government assistance programs aim to improve the lives of seniors by providing for their basic needs. In the United States, over 4.9 million seniors aged 65 and above lived in poverty in 2019. Additionally, as of June 2021, approximately 46.7 million retirees received around $72.7 billion in Social Security benefits.
However, there are seniors throughout the U.S. who still need additional support to access the housing, food and health care services they require. “Many adults, especially those with high medical expenses due to chronic health conditions, live on fixed incomes or encounter difficulties paying for housing, food, utilities and other basic necessities,” explains Marc Levesque, Resource Coordinator at Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging.
Due to the high demand for support among the elderly population, various programs have been established by federal and state governments to aid those who require assistance in obtaining necessary funds and services, allowing them to live independently or access long-term care. Additionally, programs have been initiated to help seniors avail essential services, such as healthcare, transportation, and food.
This guide provides a comprehensive list of the various federal and state government aid programs that are available to help seniors access the necessities of life without facing severe financial duress.