7 Legitimate Grants to Help Pay Your Bills in 2026

[00:00:00]Let me begin by telling you what this video is not. I am not going to promise you a new $1,000 government check that Congress never approved. I am not going to show you a gaming app and call it government assistance. And I am not going to pretend that every senior automatically qualifies for every program I am about to mention. What I'm going to show you are seven real programs that exist right now. Some may help you pay for your Medicare premium.

[00:00:35]Some can reduce your prescription drug.

[00:00:38]Others can help with groceries, heating, cooling, phone services, or necessary home repairs.

[00:00:48]Most will not send you unrestricted cash directly to your bank account, but if a program pays a bill that you are currently paying from your social security check, that can still leave more money in your pocket every month. I amwami. I am an adjun professor of finance at Johns Hopkins University and I am the author of the upcoming book, The Social Security Playbook, Seven Big Decisions and 75 Essential Answers to Get Every Dollar you Deserve. Today, I am going to explain each program, but before I do that, I want you to go into the comment section, let me know your city and your state because I like to know where you guys are watching my channel from. And if you have any specific questions about anything I'm about to talk about, drop it in the comments. I read all of them. So today, I'm going to explain each program, what it actually provides, who may qualify, and the biggest limitation you need to know, and where to begin applying.

[00:01:53]And stay with me till the end because I will also give you one official phone number that can help connect you with senior programs available specifically to where you live right now. The strongest help may come through lower expenses, not another monthly check. And that's being honest with you. Medicare savings programs may cover your $22.90 standard Medicare Part B program in 2026. Potentially that could save you $2,400 a year in qualifying, you know, money that is being taken out of your check. Extra help can reduce your Part D premiums and deductible prescription co-ayments. and SNAP has a special deduction for older adults and people with disabilities that many applicants fail to report. Utility weatherization and home repair programs are real, but funding elig eligibility and availability may differ based on your location. So, I'm going to talk about all that.

[00:03:04]So, this should be your first and strongest program of everything I'm about to talk about. The Medicare savings programs are operated by state and can help qualifying Medicare beneficiaries pay for their part B premium. The qualified Medicare beneficiary program can also cover Medicare deductibles, co- insurance, and co-ayments. And for 2026, the basic federal monthly income limits are for QMBB 1,350 for individual and 1,824 for a married couple. The SLMBB is $1,616 or $2,184 for a couple. And then the QI is 1,816 or 2454.

[00:03:55]If you make incomes within these ranges or for individuals or for couples, you qualify. And here is the thing, you don't know until you apply. So, when it comes to Medicare, if you are paying the full Medicare Part B premium right now, you owe it to yourself to apply for the Medicare benefits program because you may qualify for money that will reduce how much you pay in Medicare premiums each month, and that is money that is going directly to your Social Security check. Let me know in the comments if you've already applied or what is stopping you from applying for the Medicare Savings Program. I want you to go into the comments and let me know. Some states use more generous rules and disregard portions of your income and resources.

[00:04:43]So, you should not disqualify yourself based only on the federal chart because you may qualify and you may not even know it. Excuse me.

[00:04:55]Now, this is not a new check. It may instead stop Medicare Part B premiums from being deducted from your Social Security check. And that is the one of the clearest example of assistance that I'm talking about. So I'm not here to promise you a new check, but I'm here to tell you ways that you can reduce your expenses so that you can keep more of your money. So that is the first program. The next program I want to talk about is about Medicare Part D. This program sharply reduces your prescription drug expenses. For 2026, an individual may generally qualify with income below $23,940 and if you have resources below $18,000.

[00:05:37]And for married couple, $32,460 in income and $36,100 in resources.

[00:05:46]Someone that is receiving full extra help, which is what the prescription drug program is called, in 2026, can have $0 in PD premiums. Number one, $0, excuse me, $0 in deductible, generic co-pays of no more than $510, brand name co-ayments of no more than $12.65 and no co- pay payments after total drag cost reach the applicable $2,100 threshold.

[00:06:27]people can apply for extra help and the Medicare savings programs together. And there's a free application assistance available through your state health insurance assistance program, otherwise known as SHIP. So, if you don't do anything at all that I talked about today in this video, apply for the Medicare savings program and the extra help program because it covers your Medicare Part B premium possibly and covers your Medicare Part D premiums and other deductibles and other costs associated with your prescription drugs.

[00:07:00]That alone for some of you could shave a good $300 a month off your social security check that you've been paying out that you could get back. And so you owe it to yourself to do this.

[00:07:16]Now the third program I want to talk about is that some seniors are denied or receive very small SNAP benefits and it's because they are not taking all the allowable expenses that are eligible. Now SNAP eligibility depends on state rules, household income, assets and allowable expenses. But if a household contains someone aged 60 or older or a person with a qualifying disability, you receive special consideration.

[00:07:50]And this may be able to help you deduct unreimbured medical expenses above $35 a month. Let's talk about that in details.

[00:08:01]When you hear about SNAP deductions, allowable deductions for seniors and people on disability, a lot of people think it's just some minor thing. But let's add up when it comes to SNAP benefits, how much you're leaving on the table and how much you'll be able to get more benefits in your pocket if you just deduct or allow yourself to track the right expenses and deduct it so that you can get more SNAP benefits. The first one is Medicare and insurance premiums. They qualify as deductible. Prescription costs qualify.

[00:08:39]Dental expenses qualify. Hearing aids and eyeglasses, medical transportation, attendant and home health expenses.

[00:08:51]Older and disabled household may also receive more favorable treatments of excess shelter expenses. These deductions can then reduce your countable income and potentially increase your SNAP amount.

[00:09:06]So, do you qualify for food stamps?

[00:09:10]Well, did you know that medical expenses, housing, and utility expenses can also be deducted?

[00:09:21]So, you should reach out to your caseworker and let them know that you know this information and that you want them to look back at your case and see whether you've maximized all the deductions that you are eligible for.

[00:09:38]Program number four is the heating expenses that you can reduce by applying for this program. The lowinccome heating ex uh program can help with heating cost, cooling and energy crisis aid and in some cases weatherization or energy related repairs. It is a federally funded but administered through the states, tribes and local agencies and eligibility rules and application window varies significantly. So here's what I'm going to tell you. The biggest truth about the heating assistance or the cooling assistance program is that funding is limited. So you have to get on that application now and qualifying does not always guarantee that the money remains available. So you have to act very quickly. And so we are now in the summer. You should be thinking about applying for the fall because by the time you wait too late and it's winter time, the money would have run out because they give it out first come first serve basis. So I hear a lot of you in my comments saying you apply for low energy assistance and you didn't get it. Some of you are applying too late.

[00:10:49]So it is usually the assistance they apply to towards your medical sorry your energy bill and that helps reduce how much money is coming out of your pocket and as a result you keep more of your money.

[00:11:05]One of the programs I'm excited to talk to you about is the weatherization assistance. This program reduces your future bills rather than paying today's bill. The Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program can provide lowincome households with energy efficiency and health and safety improvements. And depending on your home and your local program, that may include insulation, air sealing, heating or cooling improvements, and other approved work. The Department of Energy says that participating households can save an average of $372 a year by participating in this program. The program currently serves only a limited number of households annually, so you have to act quickly. So, if I were you, right after watching this video, I am going to look into this program and make sure that you get this free service that can weatherize your home and reduce your energy bill.

[00:12:06]Another thing that I want to talk to you about is the lifeline phone or internet program. This program has been around for a long time and a lot of people see it and they look at it like, "Ah, is that all?" But here's the thing. When you add up all of it, you realize that you are leaving a huge amount of money on the table. Now, the lifeline program provides up to $925 per month on qualifying phone and internet bundle service. The benefit can be as high as $34 for eligible household on qualifying tribal lands. The household may qualify through income participation or if you are already receiving specific programs like Medicaid or SNAP, you can qualify for the lifeline program automatically.

[00:12:56]Now, why is this important to even save $10 a month? Well, we are in a period where everything helps. You're saving $50 here, $10 here, $100 here, $200 here, and next thing you know, you've shaved $400 off your bill, or your monthly expenses, and that money then becomes available to you to prioritize for things that you are struggling to pay or to keep up with. So, I would say when it comes to benefit programs that are free and available and you qualify, you should definitely apply even if it is a low amount. And I want to talk about this. I want to talk about SNAP benefits specifically.

[00:13:39]50% of older adults that are eligible for SNAP benefits do not apply. Why?

[00:13:45]Because number one, some of them think that they're not going to get a lot of money, so why waste your time? Number two, some think that, oh, if I apply for SNAP benefits, I am taking money away from somebody. Number three, a lot of people are frustrated with the paperwork that is involved in applying for SNAP benefits. So, let me address all three objections.

[00:14:07]Number one, some people think that if they apply for food stamps, they're going to get the minimum benefit, $23. So, why worry about it? Well, here's the thing. Even if you get the minimum benefit, having that EBT card opens a whole host of doors for you. Number one, it allows you to be able to get Amazon Prime and Walmart Assist half off. It allows you to enter over 2,000 museums for free or for $3 each entry, and you can bring up to four people with you. It allows you all some a host of other perks, including being able to buy produce at specific farmers markets and get double the produce. You buy $20 of produce, you get $20 free, but you need that EBT card. So, even if you apply for food stamps and you get the minimum benefit, think of it this way. Just having that EBT card opens a whole host of doors and that alone is worth it. So, that is objection number one. Objection number two is that I am taking benefit away from other people. When you apply for SNAP benefits, it is an entitlement program. And I want to use that word carefully because I know it is a form of triggering word when you say entitlement.

[00:15:22]But SNAP is truly an entitlement program as the government defines it. What does that mean? It means that entitlement means that if you are eligible and you apply, you're going to get it. If you're eligible for the program and you apply, you will get it. That's what entitlement programs means. So it means that money has been set aside by the government.

[00:15:41]And so if you apply for SNAP and you're eligible, you'll get it. So you are not taking money away from anybody else. And 50% of older adults leave money on the table. And the average senior gets about $150 a month in SNAP benefits.

[00:16:01]150. Even if that is one week of groceries, even if that is a few days of groceries, you are still saving money and it's worth it. So to to to to deny yourself an important food safety net because you think you are taking money or benefits away from somebody else, that is not true. And part of it is also shame. Oh, I don't need government benefits. I don't need help. I've been working hard all my life. I've not taken any government benefit. Here is the thing. There is no hero award for rejecting help that you need desperately. You have paid taxes all your life. You have worked 30, 35, 40 years and paid taxes and your tax dollars is what is helping. And there is no shame in admitting that hey at some point I may need help and it's okay for the taxes that I've paid. It's like insurance, right? Part of taxation works like it's an is the insurance that you have paid so that if you need help that you can get it. So why deny yourself something that you've paid into so that should you need the help you can get it.

[00:17:14]So I want you to get out of that mindset and apply for the help. And number three, paperwork.

[00:17:21]A lot of older adults think that when they apply for SNAP, it's going to be too much paperwork. They don't want to deal with it. I get it. But here's the thing, most states have a streamlined application process for older adults.

[00:17:32]And it's very easy to fill out and you can get help. And here's the good part.

[00:17:38]When it comes to reertification for older adults or disabled, it's even longer. So if the average person is certifying every 6 months, you're probably certifying every year. So, not only is application criteria easier, but the income limits are also more generous for seniors and households with people on disability. So, for those reasons alone, it is worth applying for SNAP benefits because it is help that is available to you and I want you to apply it. Now, I went on a tangent there, but I wanted to cover that importantly. And number seven, the USDA has food programs and home repair programs that I want you to talk about. Section 504, home repair programs. This is an important one. This program with the most impressive headline, it can help you get home repairs. And here's how it looks like.

[00:18:30]The section 40 504 home repair program provides loans up to 40 $40,000 grants up to $10,000. Yes, grants up to $10,000. Loans and grants up to $50,000.

[00:18:44]The loan carry a fixed rate of 1% interest and can be repaid over 20 years. To qualify, the applicant must own a home and occupy the home, live in an eligible rural area, have a very low income for the county, and be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere. You must be at least 62 for the grant portion and grants are limited to removing health and safety hazard.

[00:19:08]Approval also depends on available funding. So you have to look into this quickly. So these are all programs that are available to you and I want to make sure that you take advantage of them. Now before I leave you, I want to talk to you about something I've been talking about all year. If you've been following my channel, you know that I am on a mission, like a big mission, to help over a 100,000 seniors get peace of mind about Medicare. This year has been one of the hardest years on Medicare for a lot of people because number one, over 2 million people lost Medicare Advantage plans. A lot of people got plans where they purchased prescription drugs coverage and the tears changed up on them. Some people lost the doctors that the network of doctors that they were in. Others also complained that the hospitals they absolutely trusted needed was no longer part of their plan. All these changes happen and sometimes you only get the letter in the mail. So my question to you is should something happen, knock on wood, should something happen and you need your Medicare plan, do you know if it's going to do exactly what you expect it to do? Do you know if there's been no surprises since you signed up? That is why I have partnered with Chapter Medicare. And Chapter is there to help you answer these questions about your Medicare coverage. Because here's the truth. 90% of all seniors are in the wrong Medicare plan. Why? Because there's 24,000 plans out there and you are supposed to figure this all on your own with complicated rules that stretch miles of paperwork. And so what Chapter can do for you is that they are a free unbiased party that can help you answer your questions.

[00:20:57]And when you call them, here's what's going to happen. They're going to look at your plan and see if you are in the right Medicare plan for you. And if you are, they're going to tell you. And then that is the end of the conversation. And for me, that is what I define as peace of mind. that you've had an unbiased expert review your plan and answered your questions so that you are assured that your Medicare plan is going to do exactly what you need it to do. And if you're not confident about that, I need you to call chapter today 5392052147.

[00:21:26]I'm going to put their link and description and phone number in the comments and in the description to this video. 5392052147.

[00:21:36]They're open today. They're open on Saturdays. Guys, this is probably the best call you will make all year because you have paid 25, 30, 40 years into Medicare. Some of you more. And it is the benefit that pays you more into your health than Social Security will ever give you in a check. That's true.

[00:22:00]Medicare pays more towards your health expenses than Social Security will ever give you in a check. So, why not get everything that you deserve?

[00:22:09]But they expect you to figure it out.

[00:22:13]And I'm telling you that I have partnered with a trusted advisor that is unbiased, that offers a free service.

[00:22:21]All you have to do is call them at 5392052147.

[00:22:25]And my mission is to save my audience $5 million this year. I'm already close to $2 million with my partnership with Chapter and you could be next. So, give them a call today. If you like what you heard, hit the like button, hit the subscribe button, and hit the notification button. That is important so that every time I release a new video, you'll be the first to know about it. Thank you for watching.