By Strength for Caring

Many older people need help paying for prescription drugs, health care, utilities and other basic needs. Ironically, millions of older Americans--especially those who are vulnerable, disadvantaged, or have limited incomes--are eligible for, but are not receiving benefits from existing federal, state, and local programs.

Ranging from heating and energy assistance to prescription savings programs to income supplements, there are over 2,000 public and private programs available to seniors in need.

With this in mind, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) has developed and maintained BenefitsCheckUp®, the nation's most comprehensive web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources.

BenefitsCheckUp® includes more than 2,000 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states, and the District of Columbia, which help identify assistance related to:

• Prescription drugs
• Nutrition (including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP)/Food Stamps)
• Energy assistance
• Financial
• Legal
• Health care
• Social Security
• Housing
• In-home services
• Transportation
• Educational assistance
• Employment
• Volunteer services

Since 2001, millions of people have used BenefitsCheckUp to find benefits programs that help them pay for prescription drugs, health care, rent, utilities, and other needs.

For more information on BenefitsCheckUp, go to www.BenefitsCheckUp.org.