Many seniors may have a hard time affording basic things like food and housing, fortunately there are services available for seniors with low income.
There are plenty of services available to those with low income. These benefits can pay for your groceries, health coverage, housing and basic needs. There is plenty of help for you if you’re over the age of 50.
Medicare and Medicaid
Both of these health coverage options can be beneficial if you have low income. This will afford you the health coverage you need, while keeping your out of pocket costs down.
Of course there are also other health care options available for low income seniors as well, but you’re best bet is to stick with medicare if you don’t require any special medical treatment.
What Is Low Income?
Low income is considered typically to be a salary of less than $30,000 a year. Most senior citizens earn less than that so if you meet the low income requirements, then you should look into what benefits you can qualify for.
Depending on how low your income is, you may even qualify for certain programs that are available only for seniors. There are programs available to cover your food costs, as well as basic living costs.
Housing Programs
Housing is a real problem for some seniors, so if you are struggling with housing then it is important to know that there are government housing options available. These housing options are affordable and easy for senior citizens.
Food Banks
If you are struggling to afford food and your living costs are getting out of hand, then you should look into food banks. You can get a free meal or certain groceries for free if you meet the income and age requirements. You have to go to your local food bank to find out what the requirements are.
Low Cost Prescriptions
Another benefit if you are a low income senior is that you may be able to get your prescriptions covered or for a discounted price. Depending on what you make, you may be able to get free medicine. Look at your medicare or medicaid plan to see what medicine coverage is available.
Denture Coverage
If you are a senior citizen that needs dentures but you can’t afford them, then you are in luck! There are programs available through medicaid and medicare which allow you to get dentures at very reasonable costs. Dentures are important, so it’s important you get the cost covered.
Discounted Cable Bills
Depending on where you live, if you meet certain criteria, you may be able to get a discounted price on your cable bill. You simply have to call your cable company and ask if there any programs available for low income seniors. You may be able to knock a small chunk off your bill.
AARP Benefits and How to Apply
AARP is a free service that is available to many senior citizens. What is AARP though? AARP can help you save money on everyday things as a senior citizen. For instance, you can use your AARP card at the grocery store and you save money on your purchases. AARP is a great way to save money, so it is worth looking into.
In order to apply for an AARP card, you need to be at least 50 years of age, and you have to meet all the qualifications. You can also save money on things such as hotels, tickets and entertainment. This is nice because many people focus on only paying bills once they get old, AARP let’s you have some fun too!
AAA & Senior Citizens
Another free service available to seniors, is triple A. This is an insurance company and can also offer assistance when you need it. This is perfect for elderly people because it can get hard to change a flat tire on the side of the road, with AARP you can simply call the number on your card and they will send someone out to you to help fix the problem.
Free Cell Phone Service
If you are over the age of 62, you may qualify for a free cell phone. This can help you stay in contact with your family, and whoever else you may need to talk to. In order to get free phone service you may need to contact your cell service provider and see what options are available for senior citizens. You can also look into the Obama phone. This is a free cell phone offered to senior citizens and those that have certain disabilities.
Free Legal Council
As you age, there are many doors that open to you, one of these doors is the ability to have free legal council. This is a great option for those that have many assets they need to manage such as: property, businesses and other assets. Having free legal council can also help if you need to write a will and testament as well. This will ensure that your assets are divided exactly how you want.
Free Care-giving
It is important that you look into free care-giving services as you age if you feel that you can no longer do the things that you once were able to. This will ensure that you get the assistance you need as you get older. It can get hard to do things such as shower and clean the house once you get older but having access to free care-giving can make all the difference in the world.