10 'Easy Money' Benefits Retirees Forget To Claim After 65

Social Security and Medicare may form the foundation of a retirement budget, but they are not the only benefits available after age 65. Depending on your income, location, health, and military service, you might qualify for help with groceries, prescriptions, Medicare premiums, utilities, property taxes, transportation, and other everyday expenses.

These programs are not loopholes or handouts. They exist to help eligible older adults cover necessary costs, yet many require a separate application. If you want to maximize your senior benefits, these are 10 programs worth checking.

Medicare Part D Extra Help

Prescription costs can quietly take a sizable bite out of a fixed income. Medicare's Extra Help program assists eligible people with Part D premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other drug expenses. It also eliminates the Part D late enrollment penalty while you receive the benefits.

Some retirees qualify automatically through Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or a Medicare Savings Program. Others need to apply through Social Security.

Medicare Savings Programs

A Medicare Savings Program could help pay your monthly Part B premium, and some programs also cover Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. That could put money back into your Social Security payment rather than adding another check to your mailbox.

There are four programs, each with different eligibility rules. Medicare notes that some states use more generous income or resource limits than the federal guidelines, so it may be worth applying even if you aren't sure if you qualify.

SNAP food benefits

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, is not limited to families with children. Older adults with limited income may also qualify for monthly grocery benefits.

Eligibility and benefit amounts depend on household circumstances and state rules. Certain medical expenses may be deductible for applicants age 60 and older, which may impact eligibility. You can contact your state SNAP office to apply.

Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides eligible older adults with benefits that can be used for locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey. Participating locations may include farmers markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs.

The program generally serves people who are at least 60 and meet income requirements, but availability and application procedures vary by state.

LIHEAP energy assistance

Heating and cooling costs can be especially challenging to manage when income stays flat, but utility rates do not. The LIHEAP helps eligible households with home energy bills.

Benefits, income limits, and application periods vary locally. Some programs may also provide emergency assistance when a household faces disconnection or loses heating or cooling services. You'll need to apply through your state, as they each have their own program.

Property tax relief

Homeowners sometimes finish paying their mortgage only to discover that property taxes remain a serious retirement expense. Many states, counties, and cities offer senior property tax exemptions, credits, freezes, or deferral programs.

The programs are highly local. Age requirements, income limits, filing deadlines, and benefit amounts can differ even between neighboring counties. Check with your county tax assessor or state revenue department. Do not assume the benefit is automatic simply because the assessor knows your age.

Lifeline phone or internet discounts

A reliable phone is hardly optional when you need to schedule appointments or refill prescriptions. The federal Lifeline program offers a monthly phone or internet discount to qualifying households.

You might qualify based on income or participation in certain programs, like SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or some veterans' benefits. Only one Lifeline benefit is generally allowed per household.

Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is easy to confuse with regular Social Security retirement benefits, but they are separate programs. SSI provides monthly payments to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or at least 65.

You do not need a disability to qualify once you reach 65. However, Social Security considers your income, assets, and living arrangements. Retirees can review the rules and begin an application through the Social Security Administration.

VA Aid and Attendance benefits

Eligible veterans and survivors who receive a VA pension may qualify for additional monthly payments through Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits.

Aid and Attendance may apply when someone needs help with daily activities, spends substantial time in bed because of illness, or meets certain nursing-home or vision criteria. Housebound benefits have separate requirements, and the two additions cannot be collected together.

Local aging services

Some of the most useful benefits never appear on a federal benefits statement. Local Area Agencies on Aging may connect older residents with home-delivered meals, transportation, caregiver support, homemaker assistance, benefits counseling, and other community services.

Not every service is income-based, although availability and fees vary.

Bottom line

Many retirees miss valuable assistance because they assume Social Security and Medicare are the only benefits available. Checking programs for health care, food, utilities, taxes, and transportation could put more money in your pocket when living on Social Security.

Start by gathering recent benefit statements, bank balances, utility bills, housing costs, and medical expenses. Having these documents ready can make applications easier, and medical or housing deductions may help you qualify for programs even when your gross income appears too high.

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