The federal government is always concerned about the welfare of its citizens. There are many programs run by the government which assists the citizens as well as financially looking after them. The government has specially planned programs for older citizens who are living a retired life. These programs aid Americans who have crossed 65.
Social Security and Medicare are one of the first programs which come into mind when the welfare of retirees is discussed but in reality, many other programs are specially formulated to assist elderly citizens. They are not as popular as the others; because of their complex application procedure or the unavailability of information.
Here are a few programs which are easy to access once you have hit your retirement age:
1Social Security Benefits:
Social Security Benefits are those which you have earned yourself in your working days. It’s the amount that gets deducted from your monthly pay and now you are eligible to receive it for the remaining days of your life. The Social Security Benefits largely depend upon the age you retire. The later you retire, for instance at the age of 70; the more amount you will receive under the name of Social Security.
2Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
An unsubsidized employment package is generated from the Department of Labor (DOL), which aids the senior citizens to have long-term employment after learning specific new skills like computer programming etc. They get paid for these new skills after working at different public facilities such as senior centers, hospitals, schools, etc. This is a way to get extra income while attaining training on a job.
3Retirement saving plans
The federal government works with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to formulate different programs, which will result in savings after retirement. Once you have enrolled yourself for any of the retirement saving plans, a substantial amount is kept aside each year to be provided at the time of retirement. There are certain rules and regulations for these saving plans concerning the tax accruement.
4Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS)
The Federal Employee Retirement System specifically helps retirees from federal jobs. The FERS system provides three main benefits such as Social Security, basic benefit, and a Thrift Savings Plan. These three integral parts of the Federal Employee Retirement System provide regular annuity payment on time every month after the retirement time begins.
5Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
The USDA program issues discount booklets and coupons for elderly people who belong to low-income households so they can easily pay for fresh vegetables and fruits. These discount coupons are not valid for nonperishable edible items and are usually served on a first-come basis.
6Medicaid
Medicaid is a program funded by both federal and state governments. If an older citizen belongs to low income, then Medicaid is liable to pay for his/her visits to the medical practitioners. The health services, medical expenses, x-rays, drugs, and medicine even the nursing home care are all covered by Medicaid. The number of benefits that Medicaid offers vary in different states.
7Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The US Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) provides cash to elderly citizens to pay for the electricity bills and manage their heating and cooling utilities. The grant from HHS can be used to replace or repair the heating or cooling units along with the installation of insulation etc. HHS grants direct pay to the utility company. This program is based on income mainly and no age limit is required but still, the majority of the beneficiaries of this program are elderly people.
