Financial Assistance Programs for Senior Blacks

Millions of people need financial assistance across American at this point in time. There are many people struggling due to the high costs of things combined with the wages that are not keeping pace. In addition, there are many seniors who are struggling to pay their bills, because their social security payments cannot keep up with the inflation that has made things so expensive. The good news is that there are financial assistance programs for senior blacks and they can play an important role in making ends meet.

Senior blacks who need financial assistance have numerous programs they can turn to. They may be able to get help from government assistance programs as well as ones offered through charities. All of the programs make it possible for people to ensure that their basic needs are being met, including when it comes to paying for housing, healthcare, obtaining food, paying the utility bills, and more.

Programs to Contact for Financial Assistance

Social Security – Every senior in America should know about this program, but it must be on the list in case they don’t. The Social Security program is the first place that seniors should look when it comes to obtaining financial assistance. If you have earned at least 40 work credits in your lifetime then you should qualify for a monthly social security payment when you are a senior. The amount you receive is determined by how much you earned and is adjusted for inflation. You can begin drawing on this at age 62, but if you wait until 65 you will get a bigger payment each month, and if you wait until 70 you will be able to maximize the amount you will receive each month for the rest of your life. To get more information about this federal government assistance program, click here.

Medicare – Black seniors who need help paying for healthcare will want to apply for Medicare. This is a program offered through the federal government. The program is available to all seniors in the country. Once approved for it they will provide financial assistance to pay for healthcare costs, including doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, surgeries, prescription drugs, specialty doctors, and more. To get more information about the program, click here.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This program will provide financial assistance for those who need help purchasing groceries. If approved, you will receive a card that you can use to pay for your groceries each month. The government will add more funds to the card electronically each month. The amount you receive is determined by how many dependents are in the home. There is no limit to how long you can receive help through this program. To get more information about the federally funded program, click here.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – This program helps people with paying their home energy bills. Those who are struggling to pay their heating bills, for example, can apply to get help paying for it through this program. If you are approved, they will send the funds to the utility provider and your account will be credited with the payment. They will help with emergency services, shut off notices, bills you have gotten behind on, and more. They will also help with weatherization services and necessary repairs to your heating unit. To get more information about the program and apply, click here.

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – The financial assistance programs offered through HUD will help seniors pay for their rent, mortgage, find affordable housing options, and more. They will provide weatherization services to help make your home more efficient, which will reduce your monthly utility bills, and they will help pay for necessary home repairs, such as to your heating unit. To qualify for help through HUD you have to have a low income and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. To get more information about the programs offered through HUD, click here.

Lifeline – Seniors who need help paying for a phone can sign up for Lifeline. This federally funded program will help people pay for their phone service each month. To qualify, you have to have a low income. Those who are approved will be able to get a reduce rate for their phone payment and the government will pay for the rest. This assistance program can help ensure that seniors have a phone in the home, even if they have a low income. To get more information, click here.

Additional Options to Consider

Another important resource you can contact for help in your area are churches. There are thousands of churches around the country, and they usually have a mission of helping people in the community where they are located. By reaching out to them for assistance you should be able to get some help directly from them or obtain referrals to good programs in your area that can help senior blacks with financial assistance.

Most seniors need numerous prescription medications each month. These can end up being costly. Those who struggle to pay for them should consider contacting the drug manufacturer. Many of them offer financial assistance with paying for the medication. Let them know you are struggling to pay for it and ask if they have any programs to help reduce the costs or provide you with free samples to use.

Many seniors have their homes paid off by the time they reach retirement, but they may struggle with paying for their property taxes each year. The property taxes may keep increasing each year, too, which continues to put a strain on many seniors who are living on fixed incomes. If you are struggling to pay for your property taxes contact the property appraiser’s office in your county. Inquire about any programs they have that will provide financial assistance or lower your yearly property tax rate. They may have programs to help seniors who are struggling financially. This will help ensure that you do not lose your home due to not paying property taxes.

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