More Than 6 Million Senior Citizens Are Living In Poverty; These Tools Can Assist Elderly People In Need

Americans over 65 are becoming poorer at a faster rate. 

According to the latest U.S According to Census Bureau data, the U.S. has a large older population. living below the poverty line rose to 10.3% in 2021 from 8.9% in 2020.

As a result, around 6 million senior citizens in the nation are fighting to make ends meet.

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Ramsey Alwin, president and chief executive officer of the National Council on Aging, noted that this increase "sheds a sharp focus on the fact that Social Security and Medicare, the basis of retirement security for so many, are not sufficient to elevate all older persons above poverty."

Seniors in need have access to a wealth of resources, which is a blessing. Here are some actions senior citizens can take to lessen the suffering of poverty.

Register for food assistance:

The amount of assets and income you can have to qualify for SNAP benefits is limited, and Social Security benefits are taken into account. However, some costs, such as rent and child care, may be written off, therefore experts advise anyone who thinks they could be eligible to apply.

The amount of assets and income you can have to qualify for SNAP benefits is limited, and Social Security benefits are taken into account. However, some costs, such as rent and child care, may be written off, therefore experts advise anyone who thinks they could be eligible to apply.

the U.S.-run Commodity Supplemental Food Program Department of Agriculture, provides low-income seniors over 60 with a monthly food package that includes fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and other items.

Meanwhile, Mom's Meals may be able to provide free food to retirees who are covered by a Medicaid health plan benefit. Additionally, some Medicare Advantage health plans provide meal benefits under the programme for those who have just been released from the hospital or are managing a chronic illness.

Meals like Salisbury steak, pasta and meatballs, and sweet and sour chicken are frequently served every two to three weeks.

A Mom's Meals representative advised seniors who believe they could be eligible to speak with a Medicaid or Medicare representative.

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t you must have an extremely low income to do so.

The National Council on Aging offers additional assistance through its "benefits checkup" website, which lists more than 2,000 resources for elderly people who need assistance by ZIP code. The council also publishes a booklet called You Gave, Now Save that lists the most generous programmes that assist seniors with costs like phone bills and property taxes.

Additionally, some senior citizens might be able to pick up some part-time work to supplement their income.

Teresa Ghilarducci, director of The New School's Retirement Equity Lab, estimates that more than a third of Americans over 65 are currently employed part-time.

According to Ghilarducci, the U.S. Department of Labor offers a programme that assists low-income, unemployed seniors in finding employment and receiving specific training. The national charity SER and its network of neighbourhood job training organisations are further resources.