Retirement Social Security

If You Rely on Social Security Alone, You Could Qualify for These 8 Benefits

Social Security may not be the only benefit you can get in retirement.

By Maurie Backman , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Oct. 12, 2026

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Social Security is one of the most important senior benefits available. The average retiree who collects Social Security today receives about $2,088 per month. That's just a little more than $25,000 in annual income.

While some seniors use Social Security benefits as part of their retirement income, for others, it can constitute the majority of their senior income, if not all of it. In June of 2026, the Senior Citizens League reported that 44% of Americans who are at retirement age get 100% of their income from Social Security. That's roughly 24.6 million seniors.

If you basically rely on Social Security alone in retirement, you may be eligible for other benefits, so it's important to research your options carefully.

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SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to help low-income households stay fed. Eligibility is based on household size and income limits. For households with someone 60 or older, it's possible to qualify with a net monthly income of $1,305 or less for a one-person household, or $1,763 or less for a two-person household.

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Medicare Savings Programs

Medicare Savings Programs are state-run Medicaid programs that help people with limited income cover out-of-pocket Medicare costs, like premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

There are four such programs, each with its own monthly income and resource limits, depending on household size:

The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program
The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program
The Qualifying Individual Program
Qualified Disabled & Working Individual Program

Income and resource limits for each program are as follows:

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary - $1,350 monthly income limit and $9,950 resource limit for individuals; $1,824 monthly income limit and $14,910 limit for married couples
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary - $1,161 monthly income limit and $9,950 resource limit for individuals; $2,184 monthly income limit and $14,910 limit for married couples
Qualifying Individual - $1,816 monthly income limit and $9,950 resource limit for individuals; $2,455 monthly income limit and $14,910 limit for married couples
Qualified Disabled & Working Individual - $5,405 monthly income limit and $4,000 resource limit for individuals; $7,299 monthly income limit and $6,000 limit for married couples

Medicare Part D Extra Help

Medicare's Extra Help program helps cover the cost of Part D drug plan premiums, deductibles, and copays. If you're on Medicare and get help through a Medicare Savings Program plus get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you qualify automatically. Otherwise, you can apply if you have limited income and resources.

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Medicaid

If you're 65 or older, you may qualify for Medicaid if you meet your state's income and asset limits. It's possible to get Medicaid and Medicare at the same time.

If you receive SSI payments, you're generally eligible for Medicaid automatically. If you're enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program, you may be entitled to partial Medicaid benefits. If neither of these applies to you but you have a low income and limited assets, you can try applying if you meet your state's criteria.

Supplemental Security Income

If you have limited financial resources and income, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You may also be eligible if you're blind or have a qualifying disability.

In 2026, you must have less than $1,014 a month in unearned income to receive SSI as an individual, or $1,511 a month as a couple. Your resource limit must also be $2,000 or less as an individual, or $3,000 or less as a couple.

LIHEAP

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, is designed to help low-income households afford utility costs. If your income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify, though some states use a different percentage to determine eligibility.

Lifeline

Lifeline is a federal program that could lower the cost of phone or internet service for eligible recipients. Those who qualify can receive a standard monthly discount of up to $9.25 on these services.

You may qualify for this aid if you're already enrolled in an assistance program like SNAP or Medicaid, or if you have a low enough income. In most states, that means an income of $21,546 or less for a one-person household or $29,214 or less for a two-person household.

IRS Tax Counseling

The Tax Counseling for the Elderly program provides free tax counseling services for people who are 60 and older. There are no income limits that apply to the program. Eligibility is based on age only. If you qualify, you can get help filing federal and state tax returns.

Bottom line

If you're living on just Social Security, then it's important to know what benefits you may be entitled to outside of those monthly checks. You should also know that qualifying for certain government benefits does not automatically disqualify you from being eligible for others.

In fact, in some cases, you may be eligible for certain benefits by virtue of being entitled to others. So it's important to do your research if you're mostly or totally living on Social Security alone to get the financial relief you need.

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