Income Programs

What you get

Who is eligible

What to do

Social Security

Supplemental

Security Income (SSI)

Senior Community

Service Employment

Cash payment

Cash payment

Job, usually 20 hours per week

Age 62 or over, with sufficient work history

Low income and: age 65 or older, or blind or disabled 

Age 55 or older and income $13,825 or less for a couple

Contact your local Social Security office or call (800) 772-1213

Contact your local Social Security office or call (800) 772-1213

Contact your area agency on aging; The Eldercare Locator at (800) 6771116 can Give you the agency’s phone number

Food & Nutrition

What you get

Who is eligible

What to do

Food Stamps

Meals

Money to buy food

Low-cost or free home-delivered meals or group meals

Factors include income, assets and expenses

Those with the greatest need; varies by community

Contact your local social services office

Contact your area agency on aging; The Eldercare Locator at (800) 677-1116 can Give you the agency’s phone number

Health Care

What you get

Who is eligible

What to do

Medicare assistance

Programs: QMB, SLMB or QI-1

Medicaid

Help paying Medicare Coverage, such as Part B premium for visits to Doctors

Basic health services and in some cases long-term care

Low income; amount varies

Limited income and assets; in most states SSI recipients

qualify automatically

Contact your social services office or call (800) 633-4227

Contact your social services office or call (800) 633-4227

Housing

What you get

Who is eligible

What to do

Public Housing

Housing for the Elderly

Subsidized rent

Subsidized rent in buildings designed for older residents

Low or moderate income and disability or age 62 or older

Age 62 or older and 50% or 80% of median income in area

Contact your local housing authority

Contact your local U.S. Housing and Urban Development office