BenefitsCheckup is the National Council on Aging's free screener for senior benefits. Here is how it works and how to pair it with live help.
What is NCOA BenefitsCheckup?
BenefitsCheckup is a free online service from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), the nation's leading nonprofit focused on the wellbeing of older adults. The tool asks confidential questions about your age, location, income, and needs, then identifies benefit programs you may qualify for from a database of thousands. It covers help with health care, prescriptions, food, utilities, housing, tax relief, and more, and provides instructions on how to apply for each. There is no cost to use it, and NCOA is a trusted, established authority on senior benefits.
How to use BenefitsCheckup, then get live help
Using BenefitsCheckup takes just a few minutes. Gather rough figures for your monthly income and have your ZIP code ready, then answer the prompts honestly to get the most accurate results. The tool produces a personalized list of programs with application details. For Medicare-specific benefits like Medicare Savings Programs and Part D Extra Help, you can then call 1-800-MEDIGAP (1-800-633-4427) to confirm eligibility with a licensed specialist and get help completing the right state applications. The online tool plus a live call gives you both breadth and personalized guidance.