If you’re 65 or older – or your parents are – there’s a real possibility you’re already exceeding thousands of dollars a year in accrued benefits.
A recent report from National Council on Aging (NCOA) Let’s put a hard number on it: About 9.1 million older Americans are eligible for benefits they aren’t collecting. The total amount unclaimed is more than $58 billion per year.
This is not a typing error. Forty-eight billion dollars, sitting on the table.
These are not gimmicky gifts or fraudulent offers. They are federal and state programs specifically designed to help people age 65 and older pay for groceries, rent, and medical bills. And most of the people who qualify aren’t applying.
Here’s why and how to fix it.
1. Most seniors give up $188 a month in grocery checks
According to NCOA, only 38% of eligible adults ages 65 and older were enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (still called food stamps by most people) in 2023. About 9.1 million older Americans qualify but are not claiming.
The average benefit for households 60 or older is $188 per month, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. In one year, groceries are $2,256.
So why do most seniors pass? Stigma is the biggest reason. Many people who have gone through hard times feel embarrassed to take what they see as welfare.
Others believe that Social Security benefits automatically disqualify them. they do not.
SNAP looks at income after deductions – and seniors get extra income. If you spend more than $35 per month on out-of-pocket medical costs, it is subtracted from your income calculation. So are rent and utilities.
Many people who receive Social Security checks qualify. They never apply.
2. $552 monthly cash payments rarely claimed
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not the same as Social Security. SSI is a separate federal program that sends monthly cash to seniors with limited income and assets.
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the average SSI payment for adults age 65 and older is $552.29 per month. This works out to $6,627 per year. Tax free.
Only 40% of eligible seniors are collecting it. About 3.6 million older Americans qualify but are not enrolled.
Here’s the key: You can collect SSI on top of your Social Security checks, as long as your total income and assets fall under the limits. According to the SSA, the maximum federal SSI payment in 2026 is $994 per month for an individual and $1,491 for a couple.
You can start the SSI application online – SSA’s tool takes about 10 minutes.
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3. The Medicare Program That Can Eliminate Your Part B Premium
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are run by your state. They pay some – or all – of your Medicare premiums, deductibles and co-payments.
In 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium increases to $202.90 per month. If you qualify for MSP, that bill may disappear entirely.
According to NCOA, only 49% of eligible senior citizens are enrolled. About 6.6 million people are missing. The average profit is about $165 per month – about $2,000 per year.
There are four versions of the program, each with different income limits. Your state’s Medicaid office handles enrollment, but I would start with your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for a free, unbiased consultation.
Myths Seniors Tell About Free Money
NCOA and AARP It has taken years to study why eligible seniors do not claim these benefits. Due to this, a handful of false beliefs continue to emerge.
1. “I make too much to qualify.” Many people believe that their Social Security check disqualifies them. Most of the time, this does not happen. These programs allow significant deductions for medical and housing costs.
2. “This is welfare, and I don’t take welfare.” This stigma runs deep, especially among people who grew up during or right after the recession. But you paid into the system for decades. Calling these benefits “welfare” is like calling Social Security welfare.
3. “The benefits aren’t worth the paperwork.” That $188 SNAP check works out to about $2,200 a year. $552 SSI payment? More than $6,600 per year. And MSPs could save an additional $2,000. Combined, this is potentially over $10,000 per year just to fill out the forms.
4. “I’ll take it from someone who needs it more.” Federal benefits are not a fixed pie. Your ability does not cost anyone else a single penny.
The 10-Minute Tool That Tells You Exactly What You’re Qualified For
Don’t guess. Use benefitscheckup.orgA free tool run by NCOA.
Enter your zip code and some basic financial information. In about 10 minutes, you’ll get a personalized list of every federal, state, and local program you may qualify for, along with links to apply for each.
If you would like to speak to a person, call the NCOA Benefits Helpline at 1-800-794-6559, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern. For Medicare-specific questions, every state has a SHIP counselor you can contact free of charge.
A senior who claims all three of these programs earns more than $10,000 per year, based on average data from NCOA. He is nothing. That’s a vacation, a car repair fund, or six months’ worth of groceries — money you’ve already earned by paying decades of taxes.
And these three programs are just the starting point. There are other programs that help struggling retirees cover everything from heating bills to phone service.
You just have to ask.