Government Resources for Senior Citizens



 
 

*****This is a guide to government resources for senior citizens. The web sites listed below will offer information for and about senior citizens. Many seniors are not aware of all the resources that are available to them. Almost all of the sites include contact information so you can obtain further information or ask questions. Some of the topics covered by these sites include information on healthcare, disability, housing, education, and programs and services that are available and are of interest to senior citizens. This guide should serve as a starting point for seniors and their families to see what services and resources are available to them through the U.S. Government.*****
 
Administration on Aging (http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/)
          ***Information is available for older persons as well as those that are concerned about providing the opportunities and services to enrich the lives of senior citizens and support them. Some of the information available includes press releases of interests to seniors as well as links to other subjects of interests such as eldercare locator, resource directory, aging related websites, etc. Information is also given on how to contact the Administration on Aging, including email, phone and fax numbers.
 
Access America for Seniors (http://www.seniors.gov/)
           ***Links to news topics of interest to seniors and offers information on consumer protection, health, retirement planning, seniors and computers, services, tax assistance, and links to other sites of interest to seniors. Also includes links to state wide sites for seniors.
 
National Council of Senior Citizens (http://www.ncscinc.org/)
           ***Works to improve the lives of the elderly and people of all ages. You can join through the site as well as get the latest news from NCSC and their upcoming meetings, press and speeches. Contact information is available as well as a link to NCSC issues and information on housing and nursing home information services.
 
Social Security Administration (http://www.ssa.gov/)
            ***Offers information on disability, supplemental security income, employment support for people with disabilities, medicare, hearings and appeals, how-to information, forms, international benefits, and direct deposit of benefits. There are also online services, services for businesses, and research and data. You can also apply for a replacement Medicare card. There are also links to topics to help in understanding social security, such as requesting a social security statement.
 
Health Care Financing Administration (http://www.hcfa.gov/)
            ***This is the federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Provides health insurance for over 74 million Americans through the above programs. At this site, there is information for beneficiaries, plans and providers, researchers, states, and students. There are links to DHHS/HCFA Initiatives included, as well as links to other agencies and statistics, laws and regulations, and research.
 
Medicare (http://www.medicare.gov/)
            ***The official U.S. Government site for Medicare information.Offers search and compare tools for information on health plans, nursing homes, Medicare activities, and prescription drug assistance programs. There are links to news and updates on Medicare and basic information on Medicare including coverage, eligibility and enrollment. Information is available on Medicare plan choices and nursing homes. Contact information is also available, and a participating physician directory is included.
 
Department of Veterans Affairs (\http://www.va.gov/)
             ***Provides information on VA programs, Veterans benefits, VA facilities worldwide, and VA medical automation software. Online applications are available, as well as information on programs for disabled, homeless, minority, and women veterans plus military services. The site also contains links to burial and memorial benefits, compensation and pension benefits, life insurance programs and education benefits. This is a great site full of information for veterans.
 
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (http://www.eeoc.gov/)
             ***Promotes equal opportunity in employment through administrative and judicial enforcement of the federal civil rights laws and through education and technical assistance. At this site you can learn what the EEOC is all about, including contact information, how to file a charge of employment discrimination, laws and regulations, federal sector information, statistics, and links to related sites.
 
Office of Disability, Aging, and Long-Term Care Policy (http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/home.htm)
             ***Develops, analyzes, evaluates, and coordinates HHS policies and programs which support the independence, productivity, health, and long-term care needs of children, working age adults and older persons with disabilities. Offers information on aging issues, disability issues, long-term care issues, home and community-based/personal assistance services, Medicaid and Medicare projects, and more! Includes links and a glossary of words related to aging, disability and long-term care.
 
Dept. of Labor Pension Welfare Benefits Administration (http://www.dol.gov/dol/pwba)
             ***The PWBA assists workers in getting the information they need to protect their benefit rights, assists plan officials in understanding the requirements of the relevant statutes in order to meet their legal responsibilities, develops policies and laws that encourage growth of employment-based benefits, and deters and corrects violations of the relevant statutes. Site includes contact information, publications and reports, list of programs and services, links to related sites, laws and regulations, and press releases.
 
Department of Health and Human Services (http://www.dhhs.gov/)
             ***U.S. Government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing human services. Includes more than 300 programs including Medicare, services for older Americans, etc. HHS is the largest grant-making agency in the federal government and works closely with state, local and tribal governments. You can search the site, see FAQs, link to other agencies and related sites, and get contact information.
 
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (http://www.ahcpr.gov/)
             ***Offers clinical information, information for consumers and patients (including the topics of health plans and prescriptions), funding opportunities, research findings, link to FAQs, contact information, and links to other Health and Human Services Agencies. Provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes to try to improve the quality of healthcare services.
 
HUD's Site for Senior Citizens (http://www.hud.gov/senior.html)
              ***Includes information from all parts of HUD's site that will interest seniors. This includes related links and information for and about your house and home. Also gives information on how to protect yourself from fraud and discrimination and links to HUD Resources including programs, handbooks, 800 numbers, and HUD Offices.
 
U.S. Senate – Special Committee on Aging (http://www.senate.gov/~aging)
              ***Provides information and links to committee members, jurisdiction, committee events, newsroom, legislative information, publications, sites of interest, fraud hotline, and consumer tips. Contact information is also given.
 
National Institute on Aging (http://www.nih.gov/nia)
              ***Leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy and active years of life through research on aging processes, age-related diseases and special problems and needs of the aged. Links to news and events, health information, research programs, funding and training, and the National Advisory Council on Aging. Contact information also included.
 
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (http://www.pbgc.gov/)
              ***Protects the retirement incomes of about 43 million American workers in nearly 40,000 defined benefit pension plans. Site includes a listing of programs and benefits, as well as history and background information on the PBGC. Links to press releases, speeches, participant and business information, pension search, publications, legal information, and forms are included. Includes contact information.
 
Corporation for National Service – Senior Corps (http://www.cns.gov/senior)
              ***Information available on how to get involved, partners, resources for programs, research materials, news, and employment, fellowships and internships. This is the national service program that puts the experience and talents of seniors to work getting things done in their communities.
 
American Association of Retired Persons (http://www.aarp.org/)
              ***The nation’s leading organization for people age 50 and over. Serves their needs through information and education, advocacy and community services. Also offers members a variety of special benefits and services. Site gives information on member services, discounts and privileges, health and wellness, and leisure and fun. You can join or renew at the site, and contact information is provided.
 
National Senior Citizens Law Center (http://www.nsclc.org/)
              ***Advocates nationwide to promote the independence and well-being of low-income elderly people, as well as those with disabilities. NSCLC is a non-profit organization. Offers great links to other sites that offer information for senior citizens, including AARP, National Council on Aging, Health Care Financing Administration, etc.

 
 

This site created by Christina Stewart on November 27, 2000.     mailto:cdstewa@aol.com