Older adults and people with disabilities often face financial emergencies caused by medical expenses, home repairs, rising utility bills, housing costs, or the loss of employment income. Several government and nonprofit programs can provide help that does not have to be paid back.
It is important to understand that the federal government rarely gives unrestricted “hardship grants” directly to individuals. Most legitimate assistance comes through benefit payments, utility credits, housing subsidies, food assistance, home-repair grants, and locally administered emergency programs.
The following programs are legitimate starting points for seniors, adults with disabilities, caregivers, and low-income households in the United States.
1. USDA Section 504 Home Repair Grants
The USDA Section 504 Home Repair program is one of the few federal programs that offers an actual grant directly to eligible homeowners.
The program provides grants to very-low-income homeowners who are at least 62 years old. Grant funds must generally be used to remove health and safety hazards from a rural home. Eligible work may include repairing dangerous electrical systems, replacing unsafe heating equipment, fixing structural problems, or making other essential safety improvements.
The program also offers home-repair loans, so applicants should make sure they are being considered for the grant portion. Grants are specifically intended for eligible older homeowners who cannot repay a repair loan. Eligibility and available funding vary by location.
Learn about USDA Section 504 Home Repair Grants
2. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, commonly called LIHEAP, helps qualifying households pay heating and cooling expenses. Assistance may also be available during an energy emergency, such as a utility shutoff or lack of heating fuel.
Some local LIHEAP programs provide weatherization services or minor energy-related home repairs. Older adults, people with disabilities, and households with high energy burdens may receive priority, although each state establishes its own application procedures, income limits, benefit amounts, and funding periods. LIHEAP assistance generally does not have to be repaid.
Find help with energy and utility bills
Applicants should apply as early as possible because local funding can run out before the end of a program year.
3. Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program helps eligible low-income households reduce energy costs by improving the safety and energy efficiency of their homes.
Depending on the condition of the property, assistance may cover insulation, air sealing, heating-system improvements, ventilation, or other approved energy-saving work. The program does not normally give cash directly to the homeowner. Instead, an approved local provider arranges and pays for qualifying improvements.
Households that include older adults or people with disabilities may receive priority under local rules. Weatherization assistance is generally provided without requiring the recipient to repay the cost. USAGov directs residents to state and local providers for both LIHEAP and weatherization applications.
Find your state weatherization program
4. Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, provides monthly payments to qualifying people who have limited income and resources and who are blind, disabled, or at least 65 years old.
SSI is not technically a hardship grant, but approved payments do not have to be paid back as long as the recipient remains eligible and reports required changes accurately. The money can be used for basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, utilities, and personal expenses.
SSI is different from Social Security Disability Insurance. SSDI is based primarily on a person’s work history, while SSI is a needs-based program. Some people qualify for both programs.
Learn about SSI and SSDI benefits
Applicants should respond promptly to Social Security requests and report changes in income, resources, living arrangements, and marital status. Overpayments caused by unreported changes may have to be returned.
5. Medicare Savings Programs
Medicare Savings Programs help eligible Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources pay some or all of their Medicare expenses.
Depending on the program, assistance may cover Medicare Part A or Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments. This support does not have to be repaid when it is received properly.
Medicare Savings Programs are administered by state Medicaid agencies, and eligibility rules can vary by state. Medicare recommends applying even when a person believes their income or resources may be slightly over the listed limits because some states use more generous rules.
Learn about Medicare Savings Programs
6. Extra Help With Medicare Prescription Costs
The federal Extra Help program assists eligible Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare Part D prescription-drug expenses. It may reduce premiums, deductibles, and prescription copayments.
People who receive certain Medicaid benefits, SSI, or assistance through a Medicare Savings Program may qualify automatically. Others can submit an application based on their income and resources. Extra Help is a subsidy rather than a loan and does not normally have to be repaid.
Medicare states that people who receive help paying their Part B premium through a Medicare Savings Program automatically receive Extra Help with Part D costs.
Apply for Extra Help through Social Security
7. SNAP Food Assistance
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, provides monthly food benefits to eligible low-income households. Older adults and people with disabilities may qualify under special household, income, or medical-expense rules.
SNAP benefits are placed on an electronic benefit transfer card and can be used to purchase eligible food. Properly received benefits do not have to be repaid.
Eligibility and application procedures are administered by each state. Applicants who are elderly or disabled should report qualifying out-of-pocket medical expenses because those expenses may affect the benefit calculation.
Find your state SNAP application
8. HUD Housing Assistance for Seniors and People With Disabilities
The Department of Housing and Urban Development supports several programs that reduce housing costs for qualifying renters.
The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program serves very-low-income residents who are generally at least 62 years old. The Section 811 program supports rental housing for adults with disabilities. These programs may combine affordable rent with accessibility features or connections to supportive services.
Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing may also help eligible seniors and people with disabilities. These programs are not cash grants, but the housing subsidy does not have to be repaid when the household follows program rules.
Waiting lists can be lengthy, and some housing authorities temporarily close their lists. Applicants may need to contact several nearby housing authorities and qualifying properties.
Explore HUD housing resources for seniors
Find affordable housing and disability services
9. Area Agency on Aging Emergency Assistance
Area Agencies on Aging coordinate local services that help older adults remain safe and independent. Available assistance varies by county and may include home-delivered meals, transportation, caregiver support, minor home modifications, personal care, legal assistance, benefits counseling, and emergency financial help.
Some agencies administer small hardship funds directly, while others refer applicants to charities, community action agencies, faith-based organizations, or local government programs. These services and emergency payments generally do not have to be repaid.
The Eldercare Locator is a federal service that connects older adults and caregivers with their local Area Agency on Aging. People can also call or text 1-800-677-1116.
10. State Assistive-Technology Programs
Every state and territory has an assistive-technology program supported through the Assistive Technology Act. Services differ, but programs may offer device demonstrations, equipment loans, reuse programs, financing assistance, or referrals to organizations that help pay for accessibility equipment.
Available equipment may include wheelchairs, communication devices, hearing equipment, adapted computers, bathroom safety products, mobility aids, and other devices that support independent living.
Not every state program provides direct grants, but reused or donated equipment may be available at little or no cost.
Find your state assistive-technology program
How to Find Additional Local Hardship Grants
Local hardship programs are frequently funded by counties, cities, hospitals, community foundations, utility companies, nonprofit organizations, and religious charities. Because these programs can open and close as funding changes, the most effective approach is to contact several local assistance networks.
Start with the following resources:
- USAGov Benefit Finder provides a personalized list of potential government benefits.
- USAGov Financial Hardship Resources provides links to food, housing, utility, and emergency assistance programs.
- Eldercare Locator connects older adults and caregivers with local agencies.
- 211 provides referrals to local housing, food, utility, transportation, and emergency-assistance programs.
- BenefitsCheckUp helps older adults and people with disabilities identify benefit programs that may reduce everyday expenses.
When contacting an agency, clearly describe the immediate hardship. For example, explain whether the household is facing eviction, utility disconnection, an unsafe home condition, lack of food, an essential medical expense, or the need for disability equipment. Agencies often have separate funding sources for different emergencies.
Documents Applicants May Need
Applicants can make the process easier by gathering common verification documents before applying. These may include photo identification, Social Security numbers, proof of age or disability, Social Security benefit letters, recent bank statements, proof of household income, utility bills, rent or mortgage statements, medical expense records, insurance information, and an eviction or shutoff notice.
Home-repair programs may also request proof of ownership, property-tax records, homeowners-insurance documents, repair estimates, photographs, or an inspection.
Applicants should never send original documents unless an agency specifically requires them. Copies should be kept with notes showing when and where each application was submitted.
How to Avoid Hardship Grant Scams
A legitimate government agency will not require someone to pay a fee, buy gift cards, provide cryptocurrency, or send money through a wire service before receiving a grant.
Be suspicious of anyone who guarantees approval, contacts you unexpectedly through social media, or claims that a federal hardship grant has already been reserved in your name. Federal grants listed on Grants.gov are primarily awarded to organizations, governments, educational institutions, and researchers rather than individuals seeking help with personal bills.
Never give a caller a bank password, debit-card PIN, Medicare number, or full Social Security number unless you initiated contact with a verified agency and understand why the information is required.
Final Thoughts
The strongest non-repayable assistance options for elderly and disabled applicants are usually not advertised as general hardship grants. They are provided through programs that pay for a specific need, such as home repairs, energy bills, food, rent, Medicare expenses, prescription drugs, transportation, or disability services.
Apply through official government websites whenever possible. Because many programs have limited funding or waiting lists, submit applications promptly and contact an Area Agency on Aging, disability-services organization, or 211 specialist to search for local programs at the same time.
Program rules, funding, income limits, and availability can change. Applicants should confirm current requirements with the agency administering each program before making financial decisions.