Senior benefits are programs run by federal, state, and local governments that help people over 65 pay for healthcare, housing, food, and other living costs

The largest programs are Medicare (federal health insurance), Social Security (monthly income), and Medicaid (state-federal health coverage for lower-income seniors). Beyond those, there are smaller programs that cover prescription drugs, heating bills, property taxes, and meals. Most seniors use a combination of these rather than just one. The programs have different income limits, different process processes, and different rules about what they cover — so understanding which ones you might use is the first step.

This guide explains how the major programs work, what they cost, and how to find out whether you can use them. It does not determine whether you may have access to for any program; that information comes from the program itself when you provide your information to them.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older, divided into parts that cover hospital care, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and supplemental coverage, with different costs for each part.
  • Social Security provides monthly income based on your work history, and the amount you receive depends on when you start taking it — waiting until 70 gives you a larger monthly payment than starting at 62.
  • Medicaid covers healthcare for seniors with lower incomes and assets, and the income and asset limits vary by state, so a person who qualifies in one state may not in another.
  • Supplemental programs like SNAP (food), LIHEAP (heating), and property tax relief exist at the state and local level, and your county or city can tell you which ones are available where you live.
  • The Social Security Administration, your state Medicaid office, and your local Area Agency on Aging are the three main places to start when you want to learn about programs you might use.

Medicare: The Federal Health Insurance Program for Seniors

Medicare is health insurance run by the federal government for people 65 and older, regardless of income. It has four parts, and most seniors use at least two of them. Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing care, and hospice — you pay nothing for Part A if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and some preventive services; it costs about $165 per month in 2024, though the exact amount changes each year and is higher if your income is above a certain threshold. Part D covers prescription drugs and costs vary depending on which plan you choose. Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Parts A and B offered by private insurance companies — it usually includes drug coverage and may cover dental or vision, but it has different rules about which doctors you can see.

You become may be able to access for Medicare the month you turn 65. You can sign up during a seven-month window that starts three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after. If you miss that window, you pay a penalty on your premiums for as long as you have Medicare, so signing up on time matters. You sign up through Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or at your local Social Security office.

Medicare does not cover everything — it does not cover dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term care. Many seniors buy a Medigap policy (supplemental insurance sold by private companies) to cover costs Medicare does not, or they choose Medicare Advantage instead, which often includes those benefits but with different out-of-pocket costs.

Social Security: Monthly Income Based on Your Work History

Social Security is a federal program that pays you a monthly amount based on how much you earned during your working years. You become may be able to access at 62, but the amount you receive depends on when you start taking it. If you start at 62, your monthly payment is smaller than if you wait until your full retirement age (which is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year) or until 70. Waiting until 70 gives you the largest monthly payment. The difference is significant — waiting eight years from 62 to 70 can increase your monthly payment by roughly 75 percent, which means a larger payment for the rest of your life.

You can check your estimated benefits by creating an account at ssa.gov, which shows you what you would receive at 62, at full retirement age, and at 70. You explore for Social Security at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office. The process takes about 15 minutes online. Once you are approved, payments usually start the month after you explore.

If you are still working when you start Social Security before full retirement age, your benefits are reduced if your earnings exceed a certain amount — in 2024, that limit is $23,400 per year. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. This rule affects only the months before you reach full retirement age; after that, you get your full benefit no matter how much you earn.

Medicaid: State Health Coverage for Lower-Income Seniors

Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that covers healthcare for people with lower incomes and limited assets. Unlike Medicare, which is the same in every state, Medicaid rules vary significantly by state — the income limit in one state may be much higher or lower than in another, and covered services differ. Some states cover dental care; others do not. Some cover hearing aids; others do not.

To find out whether you might may have access to, you need to contact your state Medicaid office or your local Area Agency on Aging, because they know your state's specific rules. You can find your state Medicaid office through medicaid.gov. Many seniors may have access to for both Medicare and Medicaid (called "dual may be able to access"), and in those cases Medicaid often covers costs that Medicare does not, like long-term care or dental work.

Some states expanded Medicaid in 2014 to cover more people; others did not. If you live in a state that did not expand, the income limits are much lower, and you may not may have access to even if your income is modest. This is one reason why talking to your state Medicaid office directly is important — they can tell you in minutes whether your income and assets fall within your state's limits.

Supplemental Programs: Food, Heating, Property Tax, and Other Costs

Beyond Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid, there are smaller programs that help with specific costs. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition information Program, formerly food stamps) helps seniors pay for groceries; income limits vary by state but are usually higher than Medicaid limits, so you might may have access to for SNAP even if you do not may have access to for Medicaid. LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy information Program) helps pay heating and cooling bills in winter and summer; it is run by states and has different income limits in each one. Property tax relief programs exist in many states and reduce the property tax bill for seniors over a certain age with income below a threshold.

There are also programs that provide meals (Meals on Wheels, congregate dining at senior centers), help with prescription drug costs (state pharmaceutical information programs), and cover vision or dental care (state-specific programs). The programs that exist and their rules depend entirely on where you live. Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you which programs are available in your county and how to reach them. You can find your local Area Agency on Aging through the Eldercare Locator at eldercare.acl.gov or by calling 1-800-677-1116.

How to Find Out What You Might Use

Start by contacting one of three places: the Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov), your state Medicaid office (through medicaid.gov), or your local Area Agency on Aging (through eldercare.acl.gov or 1-800-677-1116). Each one can point you toward programs you might use and explain the next steps. If you are already an AARP member, AARP also offers resources about Medicare, Social Security, and state-specific programs on aarp.org.

You will need basic information when you contact these offices: your date of birth, Social Security number, income (from pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements), and assets (savings, investments, property). Have that information ready before you call, and write down the name of the person you speak with and the date, in case you need to follow up.

If you are turning 65 soon, start with Medicare enrollment — missing the important date costs you money in penalties. If you are already 65 or older and have not signed up for Medicare, you can still do so, but you will owe the penalty. After Medicare, look into Social Security (if you have not started it yet) and then Medicaid and supplemental programs based on your income and where you live.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to take Social Security at 65?

No. You can start anytime between 62 and 70. The later you start, the larger your monthly payment will be. If you are still working and earning a good income, waiting may make sense because your benefit will be higher for the rest of your life. If you need the income now, starting at 62 is an option, though your monthly payment will be smaller.

Can I have both Medicare and Medicaid?

Yes. If your income and assets are low enough to may have access to for Medicaid, you can have both. Medicaid often covers costs that Medicare does not, like dental care or long-term care. People with both are called "dual may be able to access." Your state Medicaid office can tell you whether you may have access to.

What happens if I miss the Medicare enrollment important date?

You can still sign up after the important date, but you will pay a penalty on your Part B and Part D premiums for as long as you have Medicare. The penalty is 10 percent of the standard premium for each full year you were may be able to access but did not sign up. If you missed the important date, sign up as soon as possible to limit the penalty.

How do I know if I may have access to for Medicaid?

Income and asset limits vary by state. Contact your state Medicaid office through medicaid.gov, or call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-677-1116 and they can tell you your state's limits and whether your situation qualifies.

Are there programs that help with prescription drug costs?

Yes. Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs. Additionally, many states run pharmaceutical information programs that help seniors with low incomes pay for drugs not covered by Part D. Your state Medicaid office or Area Agency on Aging can tell you which programs exist in your state.