BenefitsCheckUp

BenefitsCheckUp is a free service of the National Council on Aging, a nonprofit service and advocacy organization in Washington, DC. Many adults over 55 need help paying for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other basic needs. There are over 2,000 federal, state and private benefits programs available to help. But many people don’t know these programs exist or how they can apply. BenefitsCheckUp asks a series of questions to help identify benefits that could save money and cover the costs of everyday expenses. For more information, visit www.benefitscheckup.org.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Eligible veterans and their dependents may receive cancer treatment at a Veterans Administration Medical Center. For more information, visit www.va.gov or call 877.222.8387.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a program supported by both federal and state funds in the U.S. and it is administered on the state level, meaning that eligibility guidelines and benefits available may differ considerably between states. Medicaid is intended to help individuals and families pay their medical expenses and eligibility is primarily based on income although certain factors such as age or disability may be considered. For more information including contact information for your local Medicaid office, visit www.medicaid.gov.

Medicare

Medicare is a program supported by the U.S. federal government that provides health insurance for people over 65 years of age or people under 65 years of age with certain disabilities. For more information, visit www.medicare.gov.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a national program that offers one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. Through federal grants directed to states, SHIP provides free counseling and assistance via telephone and face-to-face interactive sessions, public education presentations and programs, and media activities. For more information, visit www.shiptalk.org.