Many older people need help paying for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, rent, meals and other basic needs – especially those with limited incomes. Programs exist to help people pay for some of these costs, but it is difficult to learn everything that is available and determine whether someone will qualify.  BenefitsCheckUp.org is an online tool that can answer these questions simply and easily.

What Does BenefitsCheckUp.org Do?
BenefitsCheckUp.org is a free, Internet-based service that can help people 55 and over (and some younger people with Medicare) find the benefits they are eligible to receive. By completing an online questionnaire, older adults can find assistance programs for which they qualify. The website can also help long-distance caregivers by allowing them to complete the questionnaire for a loved one who lives in another city or state.

BenefitsCheckUp.org includes more than 1,650 public and private benefits for all 50 states, such as:

• Prescription drugs
• Housing
• Social Security
• Health care
• Nutrition (including Food Stamps)
• Energy assistance
• Financial services
• Legal services
• In-home help
• Tax relief
• Transportation
• Education assistance
• Employment
• Volunteer services


How to Use BenefitsCheckUp.org
Just click the following link to the BenefitsCheckUp.org website:

http://benefitscheckup.org/

Then, fill out the confidential questionnaire of your choice. Once you are finished, you can print a customized report listing the benefit assistance programs that will most likely pertain to you. The report will describe each individual assistance program, explain how and where to apply, and list the documents you will need to bring with you when you make an application. 


Who Sponsors BenefitsCheckUp.org?
The National Council on Aging (NCOA), the sponsor of BenefitsCheckUp.org, is a non-profit service and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.  NCOA is a national voice for older Americans – especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.  It works with thousands of organizations across the country to help older adults find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain in their communities.  For more information, see www.ncoa.org.