It is estimated that there are around 4.6 million Hispanic seniors that live in the U.S. Like non-Hispanic seniors, they may at times struggle with financial issues. This is usually because seniors have a fixed income that keeps them getting the same amount of money each month, but the costs of things don’t remain the same. The good news is that there are assistance programs for Hispanic seniors that will ensure their basic needs are being met.
The programs that provide assistance for Hispanic seniors are the same ones that provide assistance for non-Hispanic seniors. The programs do not discriminate regarding someone’s race or ethnicity. The programs are open to everyone who qualifies. The qualifications for each program are generally based on one’s income level.
Most assistance programs that are provided through the government do require that the person be a citizen or legal non-citizen to qualify. However, there are other assistance programs that will provide help to those who do not have citizenship. This is especially true when it comes to getting help from places like food banks. They will typically provide help to everyone, regardless of citizenship.
Assistance Programs for Hispanic Seniors
The programs below will help ensure that your basic needs are met. Some programs may have time limits for how long you can use the service, while others will allow you to get assistance in the long term. Apply for as many as you feel qualified for, as there is no limit on how many you can get assistance from.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – This program is the best option for those who need housing assistance. The federally funded program will provide help paying the rent, finding affordable housing, and helping people avoid foreclosure. They also provide weatherization services and will help cover the costs of housing repairs. They also have a program called Section 8, which will provide people with a place to live that is owned by the government. To qualify for the programs through HUD, you have to meet the low-income requirements and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. There is a HUD office in each state that can provide assistance to those who live in that state. To get more information, contact your state’s HUD office. To find your state’s office, click here.
Medicaid – Medical bills are some of the most challenging ones that Hispanic seniors face. This program, which is offered through the federal government, will provide help paying for medical bills. The coverage includes going to the doctor, hospital, and specialist, getting tests done, and getting prescriptions. The program is open to all seniors in the country, and income does not make a difference. To get more information about the program, click here.
Social Security – Hispanic seniors who have spent at least 10 years working in the U.S. have likely paid into the Social Security program. This qualifies them to get Social Security payments, which will provide a monthly cash payment for the rest of their life. The amount you get each month is determined by how much you made over the top 35 years of earning money. The average amount that someone gets on Social Security is around $2,000 per month. The maximum amount that is paid out is around $4,000 per month. To get more information and apply, click here.
General Assistance – Every state offers the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides people with a monthly cash benefit. Some states offer, as part of that program, General Assistance, which is for people who do not have children. Seniors in need of cash assistance may qualify for the program. This federally funded program is limited to how long you can get help from it, which is usually five years. To get more information, contact your state’s TANF program to see if they offer General Assistance. To get more information, click here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This is one of the most helpful programs for all seniors who are struggling with their finances. The program will provide help purchasing groceries each month. There is no limit to how long someone can get help through SNAP, which used to be called food stamps. To qualify for this federally funded program, you have to meet the low-income requirements and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. The amount that you get is determined by how many people are in the household. To qualify for the assistance, you do have to meet the low-income requirements. To get more information about SNAP and apply, click here.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Those who need help paying for their monthly energy bill can apply for LIHEAP. The federally funded program is offered in all states. You will have to re-apply each year because it is provided through a block grant, which means that once the state has spent its allotted amount, it can’t help anyone else until the federal government gives it the next block grant. Those who are qualified will get help paying for their energy bill. To qualify, you have to be the person responsible for the bill, and you have to meet the low-income requirements. To get more information and apply, click here.
Salvation Army – This is a great place to get assistance programs for all Hispanic seniors. They have locations around the country and provide a variety of assistance programs, including help with food, shelter, clothing, counseling, bill payment, and more. To find a location near you, click here.
Feeding America – Those who need assistance obtaining food can contact their local food pantry. The food pantries will give people free food items. There are pantries around the country. To find your local food pantries, click here.
Catholic Charities – This is another organization that has many locations around the country. They provide free food, clothing, shelter, bill payment assistance, and more. They are a religious organization, but you do not have to be religious to get assistance from their programs. To get more information and find a location near you, click here.
