Key Takeaways

  • Benefits that help with the costs of food, housing, medicine, and more can help you put money back into your budget.

  • Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, eligible older adults were leaving $30 billion in benefits on the table each year.  

  • Boost Your Budget® is an annual campaign to educate older adults about public and private benefits programs that can help pay for daily expenses.

Everyone is scrambling for a sense of stability as the COVID-19 crisis changes every aspect of our lives. 

Older adults are suffering the worst health effects from the disease, while also facing financial threats as they plan for retirement or live on a fixed income. Our first annual Boost Your Budget® Week couldn’t come at a better time. 

From July 13-17, we’re encouraging older adults to explore the thousands of public and private benefits programs that can help pay for daily expenses like food, medicine, and rent. No matter your circumstances, benefits should be something you factor into your plans for aging well. After all, you’ve worked hard. You’ve earned this. 

For many people, the biggest obstacle to getting these benefits is simply not knowing what’s available. Even before the pandemic, eligible older adults were leaving $30 billion (with a b!) in benefits on the table each year.  

Do you know about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which has relaxed eligibility requirements for people aged 60 and older? What about mentorship opportunities via the Service Corps of Retired Executives? Or how about the many respite care programs for caregivers? 

Find these and more benefits using NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp®. It’s free, confidential, and tailors the results to fit your needs. A screening only takes a few minutes—and there’s no sign-up or registration required. Millions of people have used the tool, including benefits counselors who use it to help their clients. 

Boost Your Budget® Week is a reminder that benefits can help Americans enjoy their longevity. Use it for yourself, a loved one, a neighbor, or a client. BenefitsCheckUp® is ready and waiting. Spread the word!