Your Guide to Benefits for Seniors Over 65
Are you looking for discounts or government benefits for seniors over 65?
With so much information existing on this topic, it can be difficult to find the senior citizen benefits that apply to you or your loved one.
Whether you’re looking for government programs or financial assistance, we’ve made it easier by narrowing down the best general options for seniors.
In this article, we have compiled a list of government benefits and discounts that may be available for seniors in America today.
Table of Contents
What Benefits Are Seniors Over 65 Eligible for?
There are many benefits, programs, and discounts available for seniors over the age of 65.
Many of these programs offer free or reduced-cost options, such as:
- Health care
- Transportation services
- Housing assistance
- Prescription drugs
- Recreational activities
- Tax deductions
- Food and dining
Note: This blog post will focus on nationwide senior citizen benefits. However, there may be other benefits that vary locally or by state.
Be sure to check with local and state government agencies to learn more about other opportunities that your particular state may offer in addition to the nationwide benefits below.
Types of Programs With Benefits for Seniors Over 65
Members of the senior citizen community are often in need of programs designed for their specific needs.
If you’re a family member looking to find resources and programs that could benefit your loved one, there are many perks to be found in these types of programs geared toward seniors over 65.
There is also information about what types of programs might work best for your loved one’s individual needs and interests.
Keep reading to learn more about:
- These types of programs
- How seniors can enroll in them
- Eligibility requirements
Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a government agency that provides financial support to seniors over the age of 65.
The money comes from payroll taxes, which are withheld from every working American’s paycheck.
The Social Security Administration keeps track of each person who pays into the system. Then, they make sure you have enough for retirement by investing your money in special securities that can be accessed through the following programs.
Medicare
Retirees should not have to worry about obtaining health coverage or the sometimes hefty out-of-pocket costs of insurance plans purchased through state healthcare exchanges.
How can these costs be reduced?
You can join Medicare as soon as you reach age 65.
There are four parts of Medicare that consist of:
- Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
- Covers: Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. People over the age of 65 are immediately enrolled in Medicare.
- Cost: Most people don’t pay a premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working.
- Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
- Covers: Medicare Part C covers outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services (like vaccines), and other medically necessary services (e.g., lab tests, x-rays).
- Cost: Part B requires a monthly premium, which is based on income. There’s also a deductible and typically a 20% coinsurance for most services.
- Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage):
- Covers: Medicare Part C is a private health plan approved by Medicare that combines Part A and Part B benefits, often including additional benefits like prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and wellness programs. Depending on the benefits included, these plans may have different cost structures (premiums, deductibles, copays).
- Cost: Varies by plan. You typically pay the Part B premium plus any additional premium for the Medicare Advantage plan.
- Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage):
- Covers: Medicare Part D primarily covers prescription drug costs. It is available through private insurance companies and can be added to Original Medicare (Part A and B) or through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage.
- Cost: Part D plans have monthly premiums, a deductible, and prescription copays or coinsurance. Costs vary by plan.
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance)
- Covers: Medigap is available to help cover additional costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Private companies typically sell Medigap policies.
- Cost: Medigap plans require a monthly premium in addition to the Part B premium. The exact cost may depend on the plan and provider.
These senior citizen benefits can help those over the age of 65 to live healthier, more financially secure lives.
Medicare Savings Programs
Medicare Savings Programs are free government benefits for seniors over 65 that can help with the costs of healthcare.
To assist eligible participants, Medicare Savings Programs help those who have limited resources and incomes pay for some or all of their Medicare expenses, such as:
- Medicare premiums
- Deductibles
- Copayments
Programs may vary by state, but the four main Medicare Saving Programs include:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program:
- Helps pay: Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
- Income limits (2025):
- Individual: $1,325/month
- Married couple: $1,783/month
- Resource limits (2025):
- Individual: $9,660
- Married couple: $14,470
- Benefits: No bills for Medicare-covered services and extra Help for prescription drugs (no more than $12.15 per drug).
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program:
- Helps pay: Part B premiums.
- Income limits (2025):
- Individual: $1,585/month
- Married couple: $2,135/month
- Resource limits (2025):
- Individual: $9,660
- Married couple: $14,470
- Benefits: Extra Help for prescription drugs (no more than $12.15 per drug).
- Qualifying Individual (QI) Program:
- Helps pay: Part B premiums.
- Income limits (2025):
- Individual: $1,781/month
- Married couple: $2,400/month
- Resource limits (2025):
- Individual: $9,660
- Married couple: $14,470
- Benefits: Extra Help for prescription drugs (no more than $12.15 per drug).
- Qualified Disabled & Working Individual (QDWI) Program:
- Helps pay: Part A premiums only.
- Eligibility: Must have a disability, work, and lost Medicare premium-free Part A due to returning to work.
- Income limits (2025):
- Individual: $5,302/month
- Married couple: $7,135/month
- Resource limits (2025):
- Individual: $4,000
- Married couple: $6,000
- Benefits: Pays for Part A premiums.
Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefits
Individuals can apply for Social Security if they:
- Have earned enough credits
- Are age 62 or above; and
- Are a U.S citizen or a legal immigrant
Individuals can receive full retirement benefits (based on their earnings record) starting at their Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is typically 66 or 67, depending on their birth year. Seniors who choose to delay retirement past FRA can also earn delayed retirement credits, increasing their benefits.
Currently, the full retirement age is 66 for individuals born between 1943 and 1954. For those born between 1955 and 1960, the full retirement age gradually increases until it reaches 67. If you were born in 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are available at age 67.
Your monthly Social Security retirement benefit depends on your lifetime earnings. The SSA will calculate the average of your highest-earning 35 years and adjust the monthly payout accordingly.
Take the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool questionnaire to find out if you are eligible for any of the Social Security benefits.
Home Equity Conversion Mortgage
A reverse mortgage is a type of mortgage that helps individuals supplement their retirement income, consolidate their debts, pay for emergencies, or even purchase a new home.
The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HCEM) program grants various protections for homeowners over the age of 62 for reverse mortgages that the Federal Housing Administration insures. It offers the most flexible way to receive and use their funds from a reverse mortgage.
The HECM program works by paying off the homeowner’s existing mortgage, with the remaining funds available for any purpose. Homeowners aren’t required to make monthly mortgage payments but must continue to pay property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintain the home.
Monthly payments are optional. If made, they go toward interest, fees, and principal. If no payments are made, interest is added to the loan balance.
The loan must be repaid when the borrower moves, sells, or passes away. Heirs can either sell the home, buy it for the loan balance or 95% of its appraised value, or sign the deed over to the lender and walk away.
Government Benefits for Seniors Over 65
Some additional government benefits for seniors over 65 are:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a federal disability insurance program
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a federal cash assistance program for low-income people who are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled
- Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States of America, serving veterans of military conflicts past and present, as well as their families
- Low-cost prescription drug programs offered by pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy
Other Financial Benefits for Seniors Over 65
Many of us think that the Social Security Administration is the only way for seniors over 65 to receive financial support.
However, there are several senior citizen benefits that the government is not funding.
Some of these financial benefits include:
- Senior discounts
- Travel deals
- Tax deductions
- Retirement account limits
- Insurance policy conversion
- Veteran-Specific Financial Assistance
Check out the following programs and discounts that may be available for seniors over 65.
Senior Discounts
You may be able to save money on your next restaurant dinner or retail purchase if you’re willing to be forthcoming about your age.
A variety of places, like …
- Museums
- Grocery stores
- Bowling alleys
- Movie theaters; and
- Other entertainment facilities
… offer reduced admission fees to individuals who are over a certain age.
AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), a non-profit organization, negotiates discounts for members who can join at age 50.
Note: Senior citizen benefits and discounts are not always advertised, and in many cases, they’re only offered to those who ask about discounts and can show proof of their age.
Travel Deals
You know how expensive it can be to travel.
However, there are several ways that seniors can get great deals on their trips:
- Seniors who are over a certain age or AARP members may be eligible to receive a price reduction from hotels and car rental agencies.
- Some Amtrak fares are discounted by 10% for passengers aged 65 and older.
- Senior citizens who are permanent residents of the United States and are 62 or older can purchase a National Park Service lifetime pass for as low as $80.
Imagine visiting the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, or Yellowstone for a fraction of what you would have paid otherwise.
Tax Deductions
Seniors 65 and older are eligible for higher standard deductions on their taxes compared to younger individuals. As of the latest tax year:
- For single seniors (65 or older): The standard deduction is $1,600 higher than the regular standard deduction for individuals under 65.
- For married couples (both spouses 65 or older): The standard deduction is $3,200 higher than the regular standard deduction for couples where both spouses are under 65.
There are additional deductions for those who are older than a specific age and below a defined income level.
For example, seniors may also be eligible for deferrals on their property tax, school taxes, or both.
Retirement Account Limits
Workers aged 50 and older can contribute as much as $26,000 to a 401(k) plan and defer paying income tax on that amount, which is $6,500 more than younger employees and business owners.
The maximum amount that can be contributed to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is also $1,000 higher for individuals 50 and older, or $7,000.
But there is a catch…
After age 72, you usually must withdraw funds from traditional retirement accounts and pay the resulting tax bill.
However, any amount up to $100,000 that individuals who are age 70 1/2 or older move directly from an IRA to a qualifying charity is tax-free.
Insurance Policy Conversion
If you’ve been helping your loved one go through their paperwork and come across any old life insurance policies, don’t assume they’re worthless.
In reality, their life insurance may be a valuable resource.
You may use the cash value of a life insurance policy to help pay for assisted living or long-term care costs if you convert it into a long-term care benefit.
However, surrendering or neglecting to renew a policy might result in little cash.
Some companies can buy policies at their current worth.
The funds are then:
- Transferred as a deposit into an FDIC-insured account in the senior’s name.
- Allocated tax-free to their care provider every month.
Every sort of life insurance coverage – from basic to term to group coverage – should work.
Therefore, it’s worth checking out this option.
Veteran-Specific Financial Assistance
An important Veterans Administration (VA) program may be able to assist senior citizens if they served in the active-duty armed forces during a war.
The VA Non-Service Connected Pension program provides veterans who served in a war with a guaranteed monthly payment.
This program, called Aid and Attendance, may help pay for the costs of eligible veterans who are elderly and living in:
- Their home
- Nursing homes
- Assisted living; or
- Independent living communities
To be eligible, applicants must fulfill basic criteria for active federal service during wartime and specific financial criteria such as income and asset limitations.
State-Specific: Benefits for Seniors over 65 in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho
Each state in the United States offers various benefits for seniors over the age of 65. If you are looking for support for yourself or an older loved one, Senior Services of America can help. With senior living communities in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, let’s look into some potential benefits offered in the three states we operate in.
Washington
Washington State offers special programs and benefits for seniors over 65, including:
- Community Options Program Entry System Waiver (COPES): Through Apple Health, COPES provides Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to Washington residents who are elderly or disabled and at risk of entering a nursing home. The program aims to help individuals remain independent and live safely in their communities.
- To qualify, individuals must be:
- Age 65 or older
- Meet the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability criteria
- Be eligible for the institutional categorically needy (CN) medical coverage group
- Services may include assistance with:
- Meal delivery
- Adult daycare
- Non-medical transportation
- Home safety modifications
- Support for transitioning from nursing homes to community living
- To qualify, individuals must be:
- Tailored Support for Older Adults (TSOA): This program is a Washington State-only program designed to support unpaid caregivers and adults 55 and older who are “at risk” of needing long-term care but don’t currently qualify for Medicaid. Funded under the Medicaid Transformation Demonstration, it offers services either to caregivers of eligible individuals or eligible individuals who don’t have someone to help them at home.
- To qualify, individuals must be:
- Age 55 or older.
- “At risk” of needing long-term services and support.
- Not financially eligible for full Medicaid.
- Possibly be enrolled in limited programs (e.g., Medicare Savings Programs or medically needy coverage).
- Meet functional eligibility under WAC 388-106-1910 (related to the ability to perform daily activities).
- Have income/resources evaluated for both the individual and their spouse.
- The program allows caregivers or senior recipients to receive up to a maximum of approximately $830 per month for services and supports, such as
- Adult daycare
- Delivery meals
- House cleaning and yard work services
- Minor home modifications (grab bars, wheelchair ramps, etc.)
- Home care aide/nursing assistance
- Medical equipment
- Caregiver training and education
- Personal care assistance
- Temporary respite care
- Non-medical transportation
- Health maintenance/therapy support ( massage therapy, acupuncture, evidence-based exercise programs, etc.)
- To qualify, individuals must be:
Oregon
For those eligible, Oregon offers special programs and benefits for seniors over 65, including:
- Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA): SHIBA is a free, state-run program in Oregon that helps Medicare-eligible individuals understand and navigate their health insurance options.
- Eligibility: Anyone over the age of 65 looking for information regarding health insurance and Medicare.
- This program offers:
- One-on-one counseling
- Monthly Medicare classes
- Assistance with comparing Medicare plans
- Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program: The Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program offers eligible low-income seniors vouchers to buy fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and edible herbs directly from participating farmers at farm stands and farmers’ markets between June and November. This federally funded, state-administered program is designed to enhance nutrition for Oregon seniors while also supporting local agriculture.
- To be eligible, you:
- Must be at least 62 years old by April 1 of the current year.
- Must be receiving SNAP benefits and/or Medicaid as of April 1st.
- Must have an income below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level; for 2025, that’s less than $1,800/month for a single-person household or less than $2,432/month for two people.
- Must be living independently (not in a setting where meals are provided).
- To be eligible, you:
- Providence Elderplace (PACE): PACE offers a wide range of medical and social services to eligible frail older adults who continue to live in their communities. Most individuals enrolled in PACE qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
- To be eligible for assistance through PACE, you must:
- Be age 55 or older
- Living in the following service areas:
- Multnomah
- Clackamas
- Washington
- Clatsop
- Tillamook County
- Need assistance with activities of daily living.
- Be eligible for Medicaid or willing to pay privately.
- PACE offers support with
- Primary and specialty medical care
- Prescription medications
- In-home care and personal assistance
- Social services and support
- To be eligible for assistance through PACE, you must:
Idaho
Idaho offers special programs and benefits for seniors over 65, such as:
- Idaho Homemaker Services Program: This program helps seniors (60+) with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)—like housekeeping, meal prep, grocery shopping, and managing prescriptions. Some limited help with personal care tasks (ADLs) like bathing and grooming is also provided. It’s not designed to meet all personal care needs.
- To be eligible, you must be:
- Age 60 or older
- Live in Idaho and independently (not in an assisted living/nursing home)
- Meet the needs requirements (based on the ability to manage daily tasks and the availability of family support)
- Have an income less than $1,255/month for individuals; $1,703/month for couples
- Services include:
- Housekeeping, laundry, and cleaning
- Grocery shopping and errands
- Meal planning and prep
- Bill paying and banking help
- Prescription and medication management
- Personal hygiene assistance
- To be eligible, you must be:
- Medicaid Aged & Disabled (A&D) Waiver: This Medicaid waiver program helps elderly or disabled Idahoans at risk of nursing home placement remain in their home or communities. Participants can live at home, with a loved one, in certified family homes, or in assisted living (room & board not covered). It offers a range of long-term services and supports (LTSS), such as:
- Adult daycare & skilled nursing
- Personal care assistance
- Respite care
- Home modifications
- Emergency response systems
- Meal delivery, transportation & more
- To qualify, you must:
- Be age 65+ or 18–64 with a qualifying disability
- Meet the nursing facility level of care assessed by the state
- Earn less than $2,921/month as an individual and $5,822/month as a married couple who are both applying
Explore Senior Living Resources at Senior Services of America
Are you looking for more information about senior living?
Our goal is to make sure that seniors in the Pacific Northwest have the opportunity to live their best lives possible. If you’d like to find out more about senior living, reach out to one of our trusted professionals at our communities. They will work with you to explore all of your financial support options so you can continue to live a purposeful life.
To speak to an advisor, find your nearest community today.