There are many programs that help Medicare members with low income pay for healthcare, prescriptions, food, utility bills, and more. But it is not always easy to understand what’s available to you and how to get the benefits you need. If you’re having trouble making sense of it all, there may be a Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) near you that can help.

What is a Benefits Enrollment Center—and what can it do for me?

Benefits Enrollment Centers are agencies that help older adults and people with disabilities find and enroll in all the benefit programs they qualify for, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP). BECs look out for your best interests. Benefits Enrollment Centers are not here to sell you anything or pressure you to enroll in a specific program. Their services are free, and your information is kept 100% private.

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) supports 85 BECs across 41 U.S. states, listed below. Use the links to connect with an agency in your area.

Another way to find a BEC near you

To locate your nearest Benefits Enrollment Center:

  1. Go to the BenefitsCheckUp Home page and enter your ZIP code in the box at the top of the page.
  2. 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.
  3. You should now see a list of programs. Scroll down to one of the programs and click the “View More Info” button.
  4. Scroll down to the section titled “Start Enrollment or Ask Questions.” In that box, you’ll see contact information for a BEC 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.

Call your BEC for an appointment today

Wondering if you may be missing out on important benefits? Reach out to your nearest Benefits Enrollment Center and make an appointment. A trained counselor will help you find and enroll in programs that can help you save money.