Brainy Savings presents: these are the best benefit programs for seniors to lower their expenses!

We’ve talked about inflation and ways to save money quite a few times because it’s getting harder and harder to get the things you want or simply live. According to experts, one in four Americans who file for Social Security benefits depends on it for 90% of their income.

With housing, prescriptions, food, transportation, and medical care prices being so high, it’s not easy to have a decent life. But there are ways you can make it through! There are several benefit programs for seniors to help them lower their monthly expenses, and we’ll talk about all of them today!

If budgeting and living aren’t as simple as they used to be, keep reading! Without further ado, here are the best benefit programs for seniors!

1. LIHEAP – will help you pay for utilities

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is one of the most popular benefit programs for seniors, and it can help you pay for heating or cooling utilities in your living space, whether you own a place or rent it.

This program is federally sponsored, and it helps millions of seniors across the country pay for home energy bills, particularly repairs that are energy-related, and also for some weatherization projects. But that’s not all: LIHEAP can become your light at the end of the tunnel in case you’re facing a shutoff.

2. SNAP – will help you pay for food

The next benefit program for seniors we’ll talk about is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This one is a huge lifesaver for individuals and families who otherwise would starve, experience malnutrition, and have to face the struggle of not being able to put food on the table.

SNAP is the biggest anti-hunger program in America and can help seniors stretch their food budgets by giving them a monthly stipend they can use to get supplies from farmers’ markets, grocery stores, and other shops that sell food. According to sources, SNAP is one of the best benefits programs for seniors, and it helps lots of people with enough money to pay for their groceries.

Even though many people struggle with food shopping, not all of them know about this program. Experts say that approximately 5 million seniors are missing out on over $6 billion in SNAP assistance.

3. Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program – will help you pay for groceries

There are many benefit programs for seniors who want to cut their food monthly expenses, so let’s talk about another one, shall we?

If you like to get your groceries from the farmers’ market because it’s tastier, more budget-friendly, and it also helps you support the local economy, there’s a wonderful program that can help you save more money.

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is a wonderful program for adults over 60 who have low incomes and need assistance with groceries. If you’re eligible and you join this program, you could get coupons that can be exchanged for food at farmers’ markets.

4. Commodity Supplemental Food Program – will help you with packages

We continue with these benefit programs for seniors, and this time we’ll talk about an amazing one that can help you with a food package every month. Since groceries are necessary and they’re not cheap, this program can be a true lifesaver for adults over the age of 60 who have low incomes.

If you’re eligible for this, you’ll receive a food package every month, so you don’t pay as much when you go to the grocery store or to the farmers’ market. However, eligibility requirements are different from one state to another, so if you want to know more about it, you need to contact your state agency for details.

5. Medicare Savings Programs – will help you pay for health care

We all know that Medicare isn’t free and costs can quickly add up, especially for patients who suffer from chronic diseases. But don’t worry, because there are lots of benefit programs for seniors that will help you be healthy and still have enough money to live.

Sometimes known as Medicare Premium Payment Programs or Medicare Buy-In Programs, these state-administered programs are created to simply ease the burden of particular expenses such as deductibles, monthly premiums, coinsurance, and copayments.

If you’re enrolled in MSP, for instance, you’re automatically eligible for Extra Help, so check it out, especially if these payments are too much of a struggle for you. Sources say that over 2 million seniors who are eligible for an MSP haven’t applied or have no idea about it. Unfortunately, they don’t take enough care of their health or struggle too much with these bills, and they leave over $5 billion on the table every year.

6. Extra Help – will give you assistance paying for prescription drugs

Medicare enrollees typically spend up to $500 of their funds on prescription drugs every year. For older people with low incomes and assets, the Extra Help program, which is jointly run by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), subsidizes the cost of these medications.

Some of the additional benefits this program has might also include zero premiums on Medicare Part D prescription plans and limited out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy.

7. Department of Housing and Urban Development – will help you with housing

If you have a hard time paying rent or living in your actual home, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, offers lots of assistance programs for seniors, including housing choice vouchers and low-rent apartments.

If you want to check out these benefit programs for seniors and see if you’re eligible, make sure you go to HUD.gov and read the information provided.

8. Department of Veterans Affairs – will give benefits to veterans

If you served in the military and you now struggle with finances, you might be eligible for lots of benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, such as disability compensation, monthly pension payments, health care, and housing assistance.

But that’s not all. If you need help to do your daily activities, such as taking a shower and getting dressed, or if you’re confined to bed due to an illness, you might qualify for the VA’s Aid and Attendance program. This will give you an increased monthly pension, which is enough to cover the cost of care, whether it’s at home or in a nursing home.

…If you want to save money in a fun and easy way, I recommend you try this challenge! 

9. Lifeline Program for Low-Income Consumers  – will help you with your telephone services

If you have problems paying your phone and Internet service bills, say no more, because we know how you can deal with it. This Federal Communications Commission program provides older users with monthly discounts, so it’s easier for them to pay the bills and still have enough money in their bank accounts. Check this out, because it might be helpful!

Did you know about any of these benefit programs for seniors? If yes, would you consider joining one? Or have you ever been part of any of these benefit programs for seniors? Were they helpful? We’re curious to know what you think, so leave a comment below, and let’s chat!

If you enjoyed reading this article and you’d like to check out something else from Brainy Savings, here’s a good post for you: 8 Dumb Things You Should Never Do With Your Tax Refund