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Senior Hub

Senior assistance programs near me: benefits for adults 60+

Income, healthcare, food, and home-care benefits for older adults.

Senior assistance covers income (SSI, Social Security), healthcare (Medicare, Medicaid, MSP), food (SNAP, CSFP, Meals on Wheels), utilities (LIHEAP), and home-care services. Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is the single best starting point for seniors and caregivers.

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Main programs for seniors

  • SSI / Social Security — monthly income for low-income seniors.
  • Medicare & Medicaid ("dual eligible") — health coverage.
  • Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) — pay Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
  • Extra Help (LIS) — lowers Part D prescription costs.
  • SNAP for seniors — special deductions raise the income limit.
  • CSFP senior food boxes — monthly USDA box for adults 60+.
  • Meals on Wheels & congregate meals — home-delivered and community meals.
  • LIHEAP — heating, cooling, and weatherization help.
  • Older Americans Act services — transportation, caregiver support, ombudsman.

Start with your Area Agency on Aging

Find your AAA at the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov). AAA staff screen for every program at once and refer you to home-care, transportation, and caregiver support services.

BenefitsCheckUp

The free BenefitsCheckUp.org tool (from National Council on Aging) screens for 2,000+ benefits seniors qualify for, including many people don't know about.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

  • How do I find government assistance near me?

    Start with 2-1-1 (dial or text from any U.S. phone) or visit Benefits.gov to screen for federal, state, and local programs by ZIP code. Your county social services office and local nonprofits can also point you to specific programs.

  • Do I have to be unemployed to qualify?

    No. Many programs help working households, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and families with children. Eligibility is usually based on income, household size, and the specific program's rules — not employment status alone.

  • Will applying for assistance affect my immigration status?

    Most emergency programs (food, shelter, crisis utility help) do not count toward the public charge test. SNAP and TANF have specific rules. If you have questions, call a local legal aid office before applying.