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Grants Available for Seniors

September 2, 2016

Perhaps you or a senior you know could use some financial assistance – with home repairs, for example, or prescription drug medication. There’s a lot of state and federal grant money out there available for seniors who fit certain criteria; the trick is how to find it, particularly since the funds are almost exclusively distributed through organizations rather than directly to deserving individuals.  Here’s some basic info to get you started!

Types of Grants Available

Through US government, state government, and private foundation channels, there are thousands of grants actively awarding funds towards essentials like utility payments, prescription drug costs, transportation needs, home improvements, mortgage and rent payments, food costs, utility payments, and phone bills, as well as money allocated for able seniors interested in volunteer service.

How to Find the Grant You Need

  • The National Council on Aging hosts a clear and helpful webpage that connects potential grantees with available resources, through a brief questionnaire.
  • The AARP has an excellent online guide to federal and state grant money, organized by topic. They go into greater detail about individual state money, here.
  • Federal Grants Wire is another resource to learn about available grants on the federal level only.
  • Gov is the official US government’s web directory of its entire grant program.

While they don’t award grant money directly to individuals, there are several private foundations to be aware of whose primary mission is to support the elderly, including the MetLife Foundation, the AARP Foundation, and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. Your best bet to tracking down those funds might be through your local Council on Aging.

Want to learn more? Head to LoveToKnow.com to read more about how to find the help you need.