SHIP: free Medicare counseling
Trained counselors explain your Medicare choices and costs and help you apply for programs that lower them. Free and unbiased. Some states call it HICAP, SHINE or another name.
Get free help from a real person
These services are free, and none of them sells anything. A trained counselor can look at your situation, tell you what you may qualify for, and help you apply.
Start here
Eldercare Locator
Connects you to your local Area Agency on Aging, which can help with meals, rides, home care, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
BenefitsCheckUp
A free, private screener from the nonprofit National Council on Aging. It checks more than 2,000 programs using your ZIP code. It does not ask for your name or Social Security number.
Official help lines
Medicare
Questions about your Medicare coverage, claims and bills. Available 24 hours a day, except some federal holidays.
Social Security
Retirement, disability, SSI and Extra Help applications, and questions about your payments.
211
Dial 2-1-1 for local help with food, housing, utilities and more, in most of the country.
Legal help and scam reports
Free legal help
Free legal aid for people with low incomes, including help with benefit denials and appeals.
Report a scam
Report a scam call, text or website to the Federal Trade Commission.