Millions of older adults who are eligible are missing out on benefits programs that can help pay for healthcare, prescriptions, food, utilities, and more. These benefits can help you save money and stay healthy, active, and independent in your home and community.
How can a Benefits Enrollment Center help me?
Benefits Enrollment Centers (BECs) are community organizations that help Medicare members with low income and people with disabilities find and enroll in all the benefits programs that they qualify for. Benefits Enrollment Center services are free and 100% private. No one will try to sell you anything or steer you toward a certain program.
If you think you may qualify for important benefits, reach out to your nearest BEC and make an appointment to get help applying.
How to locate your nearest Benefits Enrollment Center:
- Go to the our homepage and enter your ZIP code in the box at the top of the page.
- Select one or more benefit program categories you’re interested in (such as Food & Nutrition, for example). Then, click the “Next” button in the lower right-hand corner.
- You should now see a list of programs. Scroll down to one of the programs and click the “View More Info” button.
- Scroll down to the section titled “Start Enrollment or Ask Questions.” In that box, you’ll see contact information for a Benefits Enrollment Center in your area.
You’ll also see local BEC contact information at the bottom of Program Details pages and at the bottom of the eligibility results page after you complete your screening.
What happens when I call a Benefits Enrollment Center?
During your first phone call, you’ll speak with a trained benefits counselor who will:
- Get to know you: Your couselor may ask you about your current situation, any challenges you’re facing in your life, and what benefits programs you’re currently enrolled in.
- Perform a personalized benefits screening: Even if you've already used BenefitsCheckUp, your counselor may screen you again to make sure you didn't miss any details that could help you get more benefits. They will also help explain the programs you qualify for and answer any questions you may have.
- Help you with the application process: Once they've learned which programs you qualify for, your counselor will work with you to find, complete, and submit the applications. This includes helping you gather all required documents.
- Follow up: Your counselor will later reach out to you later to make sure you’re getting the benefits you applied for. If you run into any issues along the way, your counselor can help you troubleshoot and keep the process on track.
There are 90 Benefits Enrollment Centers serving older adults all across the U.S. Learn how to find a BEC that's near you.