Disabled & Senior Care

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

There are a good amount of housing assistance programs available for senior citizens across the United States. These programs range from rental assistance, home repairs, or any other issues that senior citizens encounter. The following will detail the different housing programs that any senior citizens can benefit from if they meet the qualifications.

For more information about housing assistance programs for senior citizens call and speak to an certified associate today at 888-776-2911.
Rental Assistance Programs

These are programs that aim to help you pay your rent if you find yourself in a situation where you lack the financial means to. Note that many of these programs take time to apply for and to be accepted to, so these are not EMERGENCY rent help if you can’t make your  immediate rent. There are more long term solutions designed to help supplement your rental payments. To apply you must register with Social Service of America. 

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM:

This is a very useful rental assistance program available to senior citizens, which is managed by the U.S. department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). How it works is the recipient looks for a suitable house or apartment through the voucher program, in which the recipient pays only 30% to 40% of the rent, while the rest is paid for by the funds the government gives to your local HUD.

To apply for this program please contact your local Housing Agency, or the nearest HUD office near you.

LOW INCOME PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM:

This program created by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development provides adequate rental housing to senior citizens in homes such as apartments, condos, etc. This program works by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) transferring the financial aid to local housing agencies (HAs).The local housing agencies then provide funds to senior citizens to ensure they have rent payments that they can afford to pay. Unlike the Housing Choice Voucher Program, you cannot choose your own housing.

To apply for the Low Income Public Housing Program you contact your local Housing Agency, or you can also contact your local HUD Field office.

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SENIOR HOUSING VOUCHERS AND RENT ASSISTANCE

This is another rental assistance program designed specifically for seniors, that many are not even aware of. This program is similar to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, as the residents of the house/apartment will need to pay 30% of their total household income towards their monthly housing expenses.

The program provides options that allow the seniors to live independently in an environment that provides support activities such as cooking, cleaning, and transportation. This program prevents some seniors from having to move to a nursing home. The program pays the difference between what the landlord is charging, and the 30% of the tenants income, so this program involves the federal government, landlord and the tenant.

To be eligible the household only needs to have 1 senior aged 62 or older to be living in the house. That makes the program valuable for caretakers of the elderly as well. Income levels to qualify vary depending on which state you reside in. To apply for this program, select your state to find contact information.

Home Repair Assistance Programs

These are programs that aim to help people repair their home and provide grants to do so if you qualify.

LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)

This program offers financial assistance to low income senior citizens who have trouble with their heating and cooling expenses.This program also offers energy home repairs, energy crisis assistance, as well as some weather protected services. The payments differ by state, however most states have a LIHEAP Direct Vendor Payment(DVP), which are one time payments paid  to applicants who prove that they are of low income.

To apply for this program you can visit liheap.org, where you will find an abundance of information, as well as a state by state directory which allows you to contact your local LIHEAP center.

WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WAP)

This program allows seniors to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Doing this to your house results in a savings of approximately $450 per year. This program is administered on a state by state basis, and has already helped up to 7 million homes reduce their energy bills. To apply for this program you need to contact your state weather administrator by clicking here.

Mortgage Assistance Programs

We list out the major mortgage assistance programs / services / solutions you can look at if you need help with your mortgage in some way, be it lowering your payments or restructuring your mortgage to make it easier to pay.

REVERSE MORTGAGE

Some seniors might qualify for a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage is a lot different then a traditional mortgage. It is a mortgage where the homeowner borrows money against the value of their home, in the form of a lump sum, or in the form of monthly payments. As a result the senior does not repay the mortgage until they pass away or move out. After this the home will go to the lender as the form of repayment, or the heirs of the senior citizen can pay off the loan and own the house. Basically, this allows the homeowner to use the value of their home to use to pay for any costs or expenses they might have.

To qualify for a reverse mortgage the senior citizen has to be at least 62 years of age, and have already paid down a good amount of the current mortgage. You can apply for a reverse mortgage at a financial institution.

HOME EQUITY CONVERSION MORTGAGE

This is very similar to a reverse mortgage, however it is regulated by the Federal Housing authority. This mortgage might be harder to qualify then a standard reverse mortgage, however it can have lower interest rates, and the cost and fees are combined into the loan amount. The borrowing requirements are as follows:

These mortgages are only available through an FHA approved lender. To find FHA approved lenders click here.

GOVERNMENT HOME AFFORDABLE REFINANCE PROGRAM (HARP)

This is ideal for seniors who need assistance if your home is underwater, which means the mortgage amount exceeds the property value of the home. The object of this program is to allow you to save on your mortgage payments by refinancing your home.

To find out more about eligibility and to get started , you can click here.

MORTGAGE FORBEARANCE FROM BANKS AND LENDERS

This is a handy service that many are not aware of, that can prove to be very helpful to those having trouble with their mortgage payments. Forbearance allows borrowers a temporary suspension of their monthly mortgage payments. This allows the homeowner to receive counselling, and get other opinions on what can be done to modify the mortgage.

This housing assistance article(insert link to housing assistance article) for seniors provides a more in depth look at housing assistance programs available.

HOME AFFORDABLE MODIFICATION PROGRAM(HAMP)

This loan modification program will lower you monthly mortgage payment to 31% of your verified monthly income, in order to make your mortgage payments more affordable. This is great for seniors having difficulties with payments, especially if a reverse mortgage is not an option. If you are interested in more information visit makinghomeaffordable.org.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Many seniors rely on a set amount of income each month, and find it difficult to manage all their expenses due to such a small income. Fortunately, there are some financial assistance programs available that originate from a federal level, as well as charities, and organizations.

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME

Senior Citizens aged 65 or older could be entitled to Supplemental Security Income(SSI), which is a monthly government cash benefit. The monthly cash payments can range between $300 to $1000 for a senior or $500 to $1200 for a couple.

In order to be eligible, the senior has to have $1500 a month or less of income. Also the seniors can only have a total of $2000 or less in assets, or $3000 for a couple. Fortunately, houses or vehicles are not counted as assets with the SSI program. The SSI is distributed  on a state by state basis, so the eligibility factors will differ slightly based on what state you reside in.

To apply, go online to the official social security website to find your nearest social security office and make an appointment. Keep in mind you will need documents such as proof of income, and living expenses etc.

FREE TAX PREPARATION

Many seniors find difficulties in preparing their tax returns, and are faced with having to pay someone to get them done. As a result, there is a free tax preparation service made specifically for seniors aged 60 or above, called Tax Counselling For The Elderly.

The program is run by IRS certified volunteers who are willing to prepare you tax return free of charge. The program is also available to help address any concerns or questions you might have regarding your taxes.

To find a Tax Counselling For The Elderly program near you please click here.

Grants For Senior Citizens

There is a wide variety of federal grants available for seniors for purposes such as financial assistance. We cover some of these programs elsewhere on this list, but we wills till mention these programs under the wider financial assistance category.

Many of these grants focus on providing financial aid to assist seniors for a different reasons such as housing, and nutrition.

A few examples of these grants are shown below:

• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program: awards grants to individuals aged 55 or above to participate in community service
• Rental Housing For The Elderly : issues funds for programs that increase rental housing opportunities for low income seniors.

VERY LOW INCOME HOUSING REPAIR GRANTS

Seniors can receive funds in the form of a grant, which will be used to repair any safety hazards, or to remodel their homes to make them more accessible for individuals with disabilities, or mobility issues. This grant is only for homes in rural areas with populations of 10 000 or lower.

Eligibility requirements for these grants are as follows:

• participants must be 62 years of age or older
• very low income seniors who do not have enough income to receive a loan
• must be a U.S. citizen, and provide identification to prove their age

For more information on this grant visit federalgrantswire.com or contact your local USDA office.

FOOD ASSISTANCE

Many seniors do not have the funds to properly purchase all the nutritional foods needed to stay healthy. As a result, there are a few different food assistance programs available to seniors through the United States.

MEALS ON WHEELS

This terrific program targets seniors all across the United States. Meals on Wheels realizes that million of seniors are struggling with hunger and the ability to pay for basic foods. Meals on wheels provides meals that are delivered directly to the homes of the seniors.

Meals on Wheels can be paid for on a sliding scale payment, and at times it can be free, however seniors are encouraged to donate at least a small amount of money, as the program uses the donations to cover the costs of the food.

To be eligible, the participants usually have to be at least 60 years of age or older, and be of very low income. Depending on the program in your area, the qualifications might differ, or they might require different criteria for qualifications.

Contact your local Meals on Wheels program, to learn more.

ELDERLY NUTRITION PROGRAM

This program provides meals available at specific locations, as well as home delivered meals to seniors. The meals are made available at locations such as senior centers, church groups, etc. In addition to being provided with meals, this program also teaches seniors how to shop, plan and prepare meals for themselves. To find the nearest program in your area visit here.

NUTRITION SERVICES INCENTIVE PROGRAM

This is a nutrition program designed specifically for seniors throughout the United States. The purpose of this program is to:

• reduce hunger among seniors
• enhance the well being of seniors through food nutrition
• allow for seniors to participate in a social setting

This program is targeted to the following:

• be aged 60 or older who are in social and economic need
• low income older individuals
• older individuals who reside in rural communities
• older individuals who are a minority
• older individuals who are at risk of needing specialized care

This program available through your local Administration of Aging(AOA). To find you nearest local AOA please visit eldercare.gov.

TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE

Transportation can be a very big challenge for seniors, especially when they are no longer driving. It can be difficult for seniors to use public transportation due to mobility issues, location etc. The availability of transportation is essential to allow seniors to live dependently within their communities. Fortunately, there are some transportation assistance available to seniors through the U.S. Seniors covered by Medicaid are by law,  covered for non emergency transportation, such as trips to the doctor for visits, and trips to the hospital for tests etc. Seniors covered by Medicare are only covered for emergency trips to the hospital such as 911 calls. Medicare can pay for non emergency trips, however that is usually for chronic or debilitating cases. Some health insurance companies might cover some transportation expenses for seniors although it is uncommon.

PARATRANSIT TRANSPORTATION

This is a free mode of transportation available for seniors. Paratransit offers more specialized, easier ways, for those who have difficult getting around with normal public transportation. Paratransit vehicles are usually vans that are wheelchair accessible. What makes this very convenient for seniors is, many of the routes will include curb to curb pickup for the seniors. This means that a paratransit vehicle will pick up the senior right in front of their house.

By law, the price for the transportation can never be twice the fare of normal public transportation. Furthermore, you should be able to call and schedule a ride within 24 hours. Also when waiting to be picked up from a location, it should not take longer then 30 minutes.

To be eligible for this service, a lot of paperwork, as well as an in person meeting might be required, however it differs based on the specific program, as well as the location. For more information of Paratransit transportation, please visit agingcare.com.

LOCAL SENIORS CENTERS

Another transportation option for seniors is local senior centers, as well as social service centers. Most of these centers usually arrange group trips to specific locations such as, grocery stores, libraries, as well as hospitals to name a few.

This option is not as personalized as paratransit transportation, as you would have to be fine with going to the grocery store on a set time and date every week. However it is still a useful option for seniors to consider.

ELDERLY CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE

Many seniors have family members act as a caregiver for them. Most caregivers usually provide transportation, as well as self care and cooking for the elderly. This can be costly for the caregiver, so some assistance can be very helpful. There is no specific caregiver assistance program that can be recommended, however there are some different things that can be done as follows.

PROGRAM OF ALL INCLUSIVE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY (PACE)

This national program provides in depth medical and social services to frail, community dwelling seniors. A team of health care professionals provides the participants with quality health care that allows them to live in the community, rather then have to living in a senior nursing home.

To be eligible for this program you must meet the following:

• be aged 55 or older
• strong need of nursing home care
• live in the vicinity of a PACE organization

Furthermore, PACE covers a wide variety of services as follows

• home care
• hospital care
• emergency services
• nursing home care
• nutrition advice
• prescription drugs

To apply for PACE, you can visit pace4u.org and medicaid.gov.

The amount of money you will pay for PACE services depends on your situation.

• if you have Medicaid, you will not have to pay the monthly premium for the long term portion of PACE
• if you do not have medicaid, you will be charged the monthly premium for the long term portion of PACE, as well as the Medicare PART D drugs premium

NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM

This program offers services to those who care for frail, elderly family members aged 60 or older, as well as those who provide care for their grandparents. The services this program offers includes:

• information on how to be an effective caregiver
• assistance to gain access to caregiver services
• caregiver training
• supplemental services which include housing improvement, and provision of medical supplies and services

To apply and benefit from this program, contact your local area’s Agency on Aging which is administered on a state by state basis.

ADULT DAY CARE SERVICES

There are many adult day care centers available through the U.S. which provides care for the elderly during the usual Monday to Friday business hours. Adult day care generally provide the following:

• provides the elderly the chance to get out of the house and, interact and enjoy forms of entertainment such as arts and crafts
• to provide a break for full time family caregivers a much needed break

The national average cost for a day care centre is $65 per day however, it is good to know that Medicaid will pay for all or most of the costs for licensed adult day care centers. Also, private medical insurance policies will sometimes cover some or all of these costs, depending on the policy.

To locate Adult day care services in your area, you have a few different options which include visiting the Eldercare locator, or by visiting the National Adult Day Services Association by  searching by location at nadsa.org.

ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE

This is not to be confused with adult day care, as adult day health care includes the services of providing health care for the elderly in the form of physical, occupational, and speech therapy to seniors. These are usually called Adult day Health Care Programs (ADHC) which are staffed with Registered Nurses, as well as other health professionals. Usually to be admitted to this program, a health assessment by a doctor is usually required.

These health care programs are administered on a state by state or community basis. To find the nearest health care center in your area visit the Eldercare Locator.

FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM

This program will provide community caregiver services, by providing the best options as well as assisting in the needed services such as:

• direct the senior, or family of the senior to the appropriate agency, or contact the agency on your behalf
• arrange home visits if you have intensive needs
• follow up to ensure you have received the care needed
• provide supplemental services for caregivers in financial need

To contact the family caregiver support program at seniorservices.org, or call them toll free at 1-888-435-3377.

HOME CARE PROVIDERS

There are several different providers in the U.S. that provide home care for seniors. These providers will charge for the home care service, however at times this might be the only option for some seniors. Some popular home care providers are partners with Social Service of America. Contact our office for a list.

MEDICAL CARE ASSISTANCE

Seniors need a lot of both medical and health care to maintain a good quality of life. Many seniors need regular doctor visits, as well as a lot of medications to main their qualify of life. This can be really expensive for seniors across the United States, so as a result there several different programs that offer medical care assistance for senior citizens across the United States.

Health Care AssistanceMEDICARE

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for senior citizens aged 65 or older. Most seniors are automatically enrolled for Medicare, especially if they are getting social security benefits. Generally, the Medicare program usually pays for approximately 50% of the total medical and health costs. If you are not getting social security benefits, you can apply for Medicare by visiting medicare.gov.

Medicare is divided in different parts as follows:

Part A: covers in patient hospital care

Part B: covers payments for doctor visits, as well as other services such as physical therapy

Part C: this part allows private health insurance companies to provide Medicare benefits

Part:D of medicare helps seniors pay for their prescriptions. Seniors can apply for this part of Medicare by visiting medicare.gov, or by contacting the pharmaceutical companies which provide the medications they need. Once you are accepted you will either receive free of discounted medications. In addition, Part D of Medicare also includes a Prescription Savings Discount Card. These cards will allow you to save on each of your prescription costs. The costs for Medicare drug coverage will include payments including a premium, yearly deductible costs, co-payments, as well as costs in the coverage gap. Furthermore, your actual, specific drug plan costs will be based on the type of medications you take, as well as the drug plan you choose. Drugs are based on a tier system. Drugs in a lower tier will cost you less then drugs in a higher tier.

MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM

This program allows you to save on your medicare premiums through funds from your state. These programs might also cover items in Part A and B of Medicare, such as co-payments, deductibles, and coinsurance fees. There are 4 different kinds of Medicare Savings Programs which include:

• Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program 
• Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary Program
• Qualifying Individual Program 
• Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals Program 

To find out if you qualify for a savings programs, contact your state’s Medicaid Program.

MEDICAID

Medicaid is a very valuable financial assistance program which provides funds for health care costs for senior citizens in the U.S. Anybody who is eligible for Medicaid can receive its coverage as there are no waiting lists. If you qualify you will receive the coverage with no issues. Medicaid is jointly operated together by the federal government along with the state which runs it. Seniors receiving Medicare can also receive Medicaid as well. Medicaid for seniors will generally cover premiums and copayments that are charged in Medicare. Programs and health services covered by both programs are first covered by Medicare, with the difference being covered by Medicaid

SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SHIP)

This is an information program that will give seniors guidance when it comes to health insurance, medical bills, and medical plans. Many seniors can have a difficult time deciphering through all the different medical programs available to them, so this resource can prove to be a big help. To access this resource visit www.shiptacenter.org and begin by selecting your state

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (HRSA)

This is a government organization that provides free or low cost health care to low income, insured and uninsured individuals including seniors.

The health centers will provide intensive health care for individuals, and the patients only need to pay what the can afford based on their income. The health care services provided include:

• regular doctor check ups
• medical treatment when you are ill or injured
• prescribes prescription drugs that are needed
• dental care
• mental health care

This is a great services for seniors to use if they are having trouble with medical costs, especially if they are not a participant of Medicaid or Medicare. To find an HRSA clinic in your area visit HRSA locations and enter your location. If you need assistance please contact our office.

This is a great program for seniors to use to save money on their prescription medications. The partnership for prescription insurance is sponsored by America’s pharmaceutical companies to help americans get free, or reduced prescription medications. To learn more, as well as apply, visit pparx.org. Here you will complete some personal information, as well as your medications and the website will give you a list of the different prescription programs you are eligible to use.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CLINICS

You can receive free health care at community clinics located throughout the United States. There are over 1000 of these clinic across the country. These clinics are available to those who are uninsured with no medical coverage, and are of very low income.

If you need help finding a community health care clinic near you, visit find a health center and enter your location. You can also use this eldercare locator to find a clinic near you.

Dental Care Assistance

Good dental care is essential for seniors in order to maintain a qualify of life. It can be difficult for seniors to handle their dental expenses, especially because Medicare does not cover it. There are many different dental resources that offer free or low cost dental options for seniors across the U.S.

There is a great resource named toothwisdom.org that has a large database of health resources for older adults. This site provides a lot of information and dental care options based on which state you live in.

THE DENTAL LIFELINE NETWORK

This is a resource which provides seniors with free or low cost dental services to seniors across the U.S. This resource provides a network of programs available in all states which are usually run by your state’s dental association. It works by volunteer dentists visiting dental offices to provide the dental care. There is a state by state directory available on the dental Lifeline Network website, where you can find further information on this subject.

There are many free and low cost dental care programs available throughout the U.S. that seniors can use. You can find a great resource on locating the various programs that are available in each state by visiting freedentalcare.com.

Many community health centers across the U.S. offer health services for seniors including dental work on sliding scale payments. You can find a great resource on locating the health centers by clicking here.

DENTAL SCHOOLS

Many dental schools will provide free or low cost dental care and hygiene for anyone in need, including seniors. These schools offer this because it allows students to gain real experience working on real people. There are many schools that offer these services through the United States.

Eye Care Assistance

Most seniors need vision assistance, as vision deteriorates as one gets older. In fact by age 65, 1 in 3 Americans will form some type of limiting eye disease. There are many different eye care programs available to seniors throughout the U.S.

EYE CARE AMERICA

This is a service provided by the American Academy of Ophthalmology which provides free eye exams, as well as one year of care for the low income such as seniors. Clicking here will allow you to input information to see if you qualify, and where to go to receive the eye care.

VISION USA

Another program which offers free eye exams for A

Americans including seniors, is Vision USA. In order to be eligible, you must not be receiving any private or government insurance including Medicare, or Medicaid. You can apply by visiting here. 

EDUCATION ASSISTANCE Free Tuition (Go To School For Free)

Seniors that are proactive, that would like to pursue education at a college can do so with free tuition costs, through tuition wavers. Over 60% of educational institutions offer free tuition called tuition waivers. Retired seniors will have to meet certain requirements based on the college they are attending, that usually include:

• usually have to be 60 years of age or older, but can range anywhere from 50 to 65 years of age
• residency, must live within a certain vicinity of the college
• income limits
• proof of high school diploma
• documentation of retirement

A great resource state by state resource that displays the colleges offering programs for senior citizens can be found at seniorresource.com. Keep in mind, not all the courses listed on this resource will offer free tuition, however it is still a good starting point to begin your search.

Availability of courses depends on a few factors such as

• space availability
• permissions from the professor is sometimes required
• could be limited to credit bearing courses for some colleges, however some non credit bearing courses will qualify as well

Keep in mind that you will still be responsible to pay for textbooks, as well as administration fees etc. Furthermore, some courses will offer reduced tuition costs rather then free tuition.

Some colleges offer online courses for individuals aged 50 or older, if they live in the same state as the college. This is ideal for seniors, as they do not have to worry about transportation to and from the college as this can be a huge challenge for many.

Scholarships For Seniors

If you are hoping to take a course at a college that does not offer free tuition, you can apply for special scholarships that are designed specially for seniors. These scholarships can come from a number of different sources including the college or university, non profit organizations, as well as businesses.

Many of the scholarships do not have an age limit, allowing seniors to apply if they meet all the requirements. A great example of this is a need based scholarship which you can attempt to qualify for by doing the following:

• complete a FAFSA application (Free Application For Federal Student Aid)
• prove that you need financial assistance based on your income

Seniors can also apply for independent scholarships that are designed just for seniors. A great example of this is the Edward M.Kennedy Serve America Act, which awards $1000 scholarships to seniors aged 55 and older.

SCHOLARSHIP DATABASES

There are several scholarship databases available which allow you to easily narrow your search for potential scholarships that are waiting to be awarded based on your location, age and academic ability. Some of the more popular scholarship databases include:

If you do not know where to start, using one of these databases is a good starting point. You can explore these websites as there are literally thousands of scholarships that can be found.

Grants For Senior Citizens (School Grants)

If you have trouble finding a scholarship, there are a wide variety of grants available, with some designed specifically for seniors. Some of the grants are available to anyone who applies for student loans, such as the PELL GRANT. There are other grants such as the TEACH grant given out based on if you are taking up an education degree with a plan to teach.

PUBLIC BENEFITS (LOW INCOME ASSISTANCE)

There are various different federal public benefits offered to seniors, or public benefits that seniors can take advantage of. The following will show the public benefit programs available.

SENIORS FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM (SFMNP)

This program awards grants to all states which provide low income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for various eligible foods such a fruits and vegetables, as well as other healthy foods. These foods can be accessed by visiting farmers’ markets, community agriculture programs, as well as roadside food stands.

To be eligible for this program you have to meet income eligibility requirements which can are detailed below:

• household size of 1: income of $15 300 or below
• household size of 2: income of $20 700 or below
• each additional person in household: +$5400

A more detailed income eligibility requirement can be found here.

This program is administered on a state level, including the Department Of Agriculture in the state you reside in, or your state’s Agency of Aging. A database of all the Agencies in the U.S. that provide this program are seen here: participating state agencies.

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

SNAP is a federally instated food program which assists with food payments for the needy and low income families across the country, including the elderly. The benefits are received in the form of a plastic card called an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card which works similar to a debit card. The card is used to buy groceries at participating locations in the area the family or individual is located.

To apply for the SNAP program you must fill out an application online by using this the local  SNAP locator or by calling your state’s SNAP hotline number.

FALL PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non fatal injuries for seniors 65 years of age or older. As a result, there is a Fall Prevention Program that is run and funded  by the Administration of Aging.

The main goals for the fall prevention programs are as follows:

• locate and help seniors who are at risk of dangerous falls, to reduce the chances of dangerous falls
• increase awareness in the public of the risks of falls and how to prevent them from happening
• implement community programs that offer fall prevention programs

If you or a family member are at risk of falls and need resources to prevent them, you can use this fall prevention locatorto find a program near you.

SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SCSEP)

This is a program designed for older Americans that provides training to low income, unemployed seniors. The participants of this program gain work experience in a variety of community service activities, at non profit and public locations which include schools, day care centers, hospitals, and senior living centers.

The participants will work an average of 20 hours per week, and are usually paid the highest of federal, or state minimum wage. To be eligible for this program, applicants must be aged 55 or older, be un-employed, and have a combined family income of no more then 125% of the federal poverty level.

To find programs located in your area, visit servicelocator.org, or you can call the toll free helpline at 1-877-872-5627.

BENEFITS COUNSELLING

It can be very confusing at times for seniors to know which benefits and assistance they are qualified to receive. There is a free benefits counselling service for seniors that will assist seniors in:

• programs that help pay for prescription drugs
• rent assistance
• health care assistance such as guidance on Medicaid and Medicare
• care giving services
• food services

To begin receiving free counselling head to benefitscheckup.org.

CHARITY ASSISTANCE

There are many charities and non profit organizations that offer assistance to seniors in need throughout the United States. The following will show some useful charity assistance program charities seniors can benefit from. We ask that you contact these agencies first before reaching out to Social Service of America. 

THE SALVATION ARMY

The Salvation Army is a very useful resource to assist low income seniors, who are experiencing difficulties paying rent and any other living expenses. Many people do not realize the great assistance that the Salvation Army can provide.

The Salvation Army gives priority to low income families, single parents, the elderly as well as people with disabilities. There is most likely a Salvation Army centre in your area, which can be found by visiting salvationarmyusa.org.

UNITED WAY

The United Way is one of the largest charities in the world, which offers a variety of programs to helps seniors live vibrant lives.

The United Way provides caregivers to seniors in need of someone to care for them, if they have no one else to help them. They also provide caregivers so family members can enjoy a nice break from being a caregiver. To learn more please visit unitedway.org.

Furthermore, the United Way has programs that seniors can partake in to stay active, fit, and healthy. The Untied Way also supports many community driven programs throughout the U.S. To find your nearest United Way, please click here.

AARP FOUNDATION

The AARP Foundation is a great foundation that offers anyone age 50 years or older assistance in hunger, income, and housing. AARP offers a wide variety of programs which include:

• financial assistance
• housing solutions
• estate planning
• grants
• low income benefits

These are just some of the programs available, for a full list and more details please visit aarp.org.