With a higher poverty rate than most other states in the country, Alabama has many people who need financial assistance. This is even more common for the seniors who call the state home. They may struggle financially to pay for their rent, purchase groceries, and ensure that their bills are paid each month. It is important for them to know about programs offering financial assistance for seniors in Alabama, so that they can ensure basic needs are being met.
Many seniors are not in a position to work, which may mean that they will struggle to obtain the things they need for their basic needs. Rather than seniors struggle on a fixed income it is a good idea for them to reach out to programs that will provide financial assistance. The programs will help them make ends meet each month, so they will still have a place to live, food to eat, and have their bills paid.
The programs below are open to all seniors who have a low income and are citizens are legal non-citizens. You can apply for all of the programs, because there is no limit on how many you can apply for or receive help from. Applying for multiple programs will help ensure that basic needs are being met and that you will get relief from the stress and burden of trying to figure out how you will survive each month.
Programs Offering Financial Assistance
Food Assistance
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This program is the largest provider of food assistance in the country. It is funded by the federal government and there is no limit to how long you can get help through it. As long as you meet the guidelines to be approved you can continue to get the assistance. Those who are approved will get help paying for their food each month. If you are approved for the program, you will receive a debit-style card that benefits are added to each month electronically. You will be able to use it at the grocery store and some farmers markets to pay for your food. The funds can be used to purchase most grocery items and the amount you receive each month depends on how many dependents there are in the home. To get more information and apply for SNAP, click here.
Community Food Bank of Alabama – This food bank will help ensure that your basic food needs are being met. They give away free food each month to those in need. This food bank serves the counties that are across Central Alabama. To get more information and contact them for assistance, click here.
Food Bank of North Alabama – For seniors who live in the north area of the state, they can turn to this food bank for assistance. The organization will provide people who need assistance with free food. To get more information and apply, click here.
Rent Assistance
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – This federal agency provides more assistance with rent and housing than any other entity in the country. Their mission is to help people avoid homelessness. They have several programs that seniors in Alabama can turn to for assistance with their rent. They are able to provide government owned housing units for people to live in, help identify affordable housing in your area, and they have a voucher program that will help you pay for your rent. To qualify for the assistance you have to have a low income and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. To get more information about the housing programs and rent assistance offered through HUD, click here.
Alabama Housing Authority – This government office will help with senior housing assistance. You need to contact the housing authority office in your county to inquire about getting senior rent assistance. To find your county’s office, click here.
Utility Bills Assistance
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – This program will help seniors in Alabama to pay for their energy bills. The program is for those who meet the low income requirements and they are the person responsible for paying the bill. You will need to re-apply for the program each season. If you are approved, the funds will be submitted directly to the energy provider on your behalf. To get more information and apply for assistance, click here.
Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) – This program will help seniors pay for their water bills, if they meet the low income requirements. They will help you get your water bill brought up to current status. They will also help if you need emergency assistance to keep your water from being shut off. To get more information and apply, click here.
Alabama Power – This energy provider offers a payment assistance program for those who need help or have fallen behind on their bill. To get assistance you have to meet the low income requirements. To get more information, click here.
Medical Bills Assistance
Medicaid – Seniors who are not over the age of 65 yet can apply for this program. It is a federally funded program that will help pay for medical bills. You have to be under the age of 65 and have a low income. If you are approved, they will help pay for things like visiting the doctor, staying in a hospital, going to the dentist, obtaining prescription drugs, and more. There is no limit to how long you can receive help through Medicaid. To get more information and apply for the program, click here.
Medicare – This program is the same as Medicaid, only it is for those who are 65 and up. If you are at least 65 years old, you can apply for this program. There is no limit to how long you can receive help through this program. Like Medicaid, this program will help pay for all types of medical expenses that you may incur. This is the government’s health coverage assistance program that is offered to all seniors in the country. To get more information about the program and apply, click here.
