Mark Glendon

What Types of Government Benefits are Available for the Elderly?

Seniors in America are a wealth of knowledge and experience. Older Americans have worked hard to build the country enjoyed by hundreds of millions today, and it's important to ensure these individuals have access to all the benefits they are entitled to receive. Government benefits for seniors in America are plentiful, but far too often, seniors find that it can be challenging to find information about obtaining government benefits.

To help out those who are seeking more information, below are two of the most important government benefits for seniors in 2023:

Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare and Medicaid are two separate health insurance programs available to seniors in America. Both programs are governed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), but they function independently of one another. Medicare is a type of health coverage that is only available to seniors and retirees. Medicaid is available to low-income individuals regardless of age, but seniors who are Medicaid dual-eligible can receive benefits from both programs.

Medicaid is administered by each state, and program guidelines can change from year to year. 2023 Medicaid changes include reductions in continuous coverage benefits as the Covid-19 pandemic has lessened in intensity. At the peak of the Covid-19 crisis, states were given more leeway to offer continuous coverage to seniors who qualified for Medicaid, but 2023 Medicaid changes mean that requirements will become more stringent to continue qualifying for Medicare coverage.

Social Security

Social Security payments and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are two government programs that seniors can qualify for to help pay for expenses in retirement. Both programs are overseen by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Social Security provides monthly payments to seniors who have contributed to the program during their working years through paycheck deductions.

SSDI is available to seniors and younger Americans who are qualified as disabled. SSDI provides a monthly check to help disabled seniors and others pay for medical expenses and other bills that can be challenging due to the inability to work after a disabling event.

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Mark writes often about estate planning. His articles may include topics like real estate closing attorney and business succession laws to help the people in needs. You can find his thoughts at elder law blog.