Connecting Low-Income Seniors to Essential Benefits: NCOA Grants 90 Organizations
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has made a significant stride in improving the lives of low-income older adults by awarding grants to 90 community-based organizations across the United States. This initiative marks a vital step towards connecting eligible seniors and individuals with disabilities to various essential benefits programs. With an investment exceeding $18.5 million, NCOA aims to support local benefits counselors who work diligently to help these individuals navigate the complex application processes for affordable health care, utilities, food, and medications.
Jessica Johnston, the Senior Director of NCOA's Center for Economic Well-Being, emphasized the crucial impact of enrolling older adults in these programs. "Helping older adults enroll in these programs is lifesaving," Johnston stated. Research conducted by NCOA highlights a stark reality: older adults aged 60 and above who earn $20,000 annually or less have a lifespan that is, on average, nine years shorter than those earning $120,000 or more. The disparity illustrates the urgent need for supportive measures to bridge the income gap and enhance the quality of life for vulnerable seniors.
Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates a worrying trend; poverty rates among older adults rose from 10.7% in 2021 to 15% in 2024. Alarmingly, many eligible seniors are not enrolled in available benefits, often due to a lack of awareness or understanding of how to apply. In the previous year, local partners associated with NCOA assisted eligible individuals in applying for over $825 million in public assistance, demonstrating the critical role of these community organizations in educating and enrolling seniors.
To facilitate the screening process for various benefits, NCOA provides a free online tool known as BenefitsCheckUp®. This resource enables seniors to identify more than 2,000 available benefits, including vital programs like Medicare Savings, Extra Help for Medicare Part D, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid.
The Benefits Enrollment Centers, funded through the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, are administered by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL). This funding initiative has a solid bipartisan history of success stretching back 17 years and was recently extended until 2027 through the 2026 Omnibus spending package. In the 2023-2024 period alone, this program successfully connected 4.7 million lower-income adults to their entitled benefits.
Johnston further highlighted the mission behind these efforts: "Connecting eligible individuals to benefits is essential to ensuring that every American can age with the health, financial security, and dignity they deserve." A comprehensive list of the new Benefits Enrollment Centers across states and territories is now accessible online, reinforcing NCOA's commitment to transparency and outreach.
This ambitious initiative is backed by a financial assistance award of $13,504,196, fully funded by ACL/HHS, underlining the government’s recognition of the importance of assisting older adults in securing necessary benefits. NCOA stands as a stalwart advocate for the rights of all individuals to age comfortably and with dignity, reinforcing its foundational mission established since 1950, fostering collaboration with thousands of local and national partners.
For more detailed information about NCOA's efforts and the array of benefits available to eligible seniors, visit their website at www.ncoa.org and follow them on social media @NCOAging.
Jessica Johnston, the Senior Director of NCOA's Center for Economic Well-Being, emphasized the crucial impact of enrolling older adults in these programs. "Helping older adults enroll in these programs is lifesaving," Johnston stated. Research conducted by NCOA highlights a stark reality: older adults aged 60 and above who earn $20,000 annually or less have a lifespan that is, on average, nine years shorter than those earning $120,000 or more. The disparity illustrates the urgent need for supportive measures to bridge the income gap and enhance the quality of life for vulnerable seniors.
Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates a worrying trend; poverty rates among older adults rose from 10.7% in 2021 to 15% in 2024. Alarmingly, many eligible seniors are not enrolled in available benefits, often due to a lack of awareness or understanding of how to apply. In the previous year, local partners associated with NCOA assisted eligible individuals in applying for over $825 million in public assistance, demonstrating the critical role of these community organizations in educating and enrolling seniors.
To facilitate the screening process for various benefits, NCOA provides a free online tool known as BenefitsCheckUp®. This resource enables seniors to identify more than 2,000 available benefits, including vital programs like Medicare Savings, Extra Help for Medicare Part D, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid.
The Benefits Enrollment Centers, funded through the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, are administered by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL). This funding initiative has a solid bipartisan history of success stretching back 17 years and was recently extended until 2027 through the 2026 Omnibus spending package. In the 2023-2024 period alone, this program successfully connected 4.7 million lower-income adults to their entitled benefits.
Johnston further highlighted the mission behind these efforts: "Connecting eligible individuals to benefits is essential to ensuring that every American can age with the health, financial security, and dignity they deserve." A comprehensive list of the new Benefits Enrollment Centers across states and territories is now accessible online, reinforcing NCOA's commitment to transparency and outreach.
This ambitious initiative is backed by a financial assistance award of $13,504,196, fully funded by ACL/HHS, underlining the government’s recognition of the importance of assisting older adults in securing necessary benefits. NCOA stands as a stalwart advocate for the rights of all individuals to age comfortably and with dignity, reinforcing its foundational mission established since 1950, fostering collaboration with thousands of local and national partners.
For more detailed information about NCOA's efforts and the array of benefits available to eligible seniors, visit their website at www.ncoa.org and follow them on social media @NCOAging.
Topics People & Culture）
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