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State guide

Senior benefits in Washington

What each program is called in Washington, who qualifies here, what it pays and how to apply. Every figure links to the agency page it came from.

Checked

8 programs with Washington's own rules
A country mailbox with letters inside, at the end of a gravel lane in autumn

Medicare and health costs

5 programs

  • Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

    QMB income limit: $1,463 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside)Washington rules

    Washington Apple Health runs Medicare Savings Programs that pay your Medicare Part B premium, and with QMB also your Part A premium, deductibles and copays.

  • Apple Health (Medicaid)

    Income limit: $994 a month (the SSI level)Washington rules

    Apple Health is Washington's Medicaid program; for people 65 and older or with Medicare it's called Apple Health Classic Medicaid.

  • Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)

    Washington rules

    Washington's Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors program, called SHIBA, gives free, unbiased Medicare help.

  • PACE

    Federal rules shown

    All your Medicare and Medicaid care from one team, including rides, meals and home care, for people 55+ who need a nursing-home level of care.

  • VA health care

    Same in every state

    Medical care, prescriptions and some dental and long-term care for enrolled veterans.

Prescription costs

4 programs

  • No state drug-cost program

    Not offered in Washington

    Washington does not run a program to help older people in general pay for prescriptions; its only state drug program on Medicare's list is for people living with HIV.

  • Extra Help with drug costs

    Same in every state

    Lowers your Part D premium, deductible and copays. You get it automatically with Medicaid, SSI or a Medicare Savings Program.

  • Part D cost cap

    Capped at $2,400 in 2027Same in every state

    A yearly limit on what you pay for covered drugs.

  • Medicare GLP-1 Bridge

    Same in every state

    A temporary program that lowers the copay for certain weight-loss drugs, outside your regular Part D plan.

Income and Social Security

6 programs

  • State Supplemental Payment

    Extra each month: $33 a monthWashington rules

    Washington pays a State Supplemental Payment, or SSP, on top of federal SSI.

  • SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

    Up to $1,029 a month in 2027Same in every state

    A monthly payment for people 65+ with little income and savings. You don't need a work history.

  • Social Security retirement

    Same in every state

    Your monthly benefit from your work record. When you claim changes how much you get for life.

  • SSDI (disability)

    Same in every state

    Monthly disability benefits from your work record. Switches to retirement benefits at full retirement age.

  • Survivor and spousal benefits

    Same in every state

    Benefits from a spouse's or ex-spouse's work record. Often missed, especially after a divorce or a death.

  • Social Security Fairness Act

    Same in every state

    Ended the WEP and GPO reductions for teachers, police, firefighters and others with public pensions.

Food

4 programs

Housing and home repair

3 programs

Utilities and phone

3 programs

  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

    Income limit: $1,995 a month ($23,940 a year) for one person (150% of the federal poverty level)Washington rules

    Washington's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) gives a one-time grant, paid to your energy company, to help with heating and now cooling costs.

  • Weatherization Assistance

    Federal rules shown

    Free insulation, sealing and heating repairs that lower your energy bills for good.

  • Lifeline phone and internet discount

    Same in every state

    A monthly discount on phone or internet service. The bigger ACP discount ended in 2024.

Taxes

5 programs

  • Property tax relief

    Washington rules

    2 programs: Property Tax Exemption Program for Senior Citizens and People with Disabilities and Property Tax Deferral Program for Senior Citizens and People with Disabilities.

  • The new senior tax deduction

    $6,000 per personSame in every state

    An extra deduction for each person 65+, for tax years 2025 to 2028, whether or not you itemize.

  • Higher standard deduction at 65

    Same in every state

    A larger standard deduction once you turn 65, and more if you are blind.

  • Free tax help (VITA, TCE, Tax-Aide)

    Same in every state

    Free tax preparation from trained volunteers, with a program just for people 60+.

  • Taxes on Social Security

    Same in every state

    Whether your benefits are taxed depends on your other income. Many people owe nothing.

Getting to appointments

1 program

Care at home and caregivers

3 programs

  • Medicaid care at home (HCBS waivers)

    Federal rules shown

    Personal care, adult day programs and home changes so you can stay home instead of moving to a nursing home.

  • VA Pension and Aid and Attendance

    Up to $29,093 a year for a veteranSame in every state

    A tax-free monthly payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities.

  • Family caregiver support

    Federal rules shown

    Respite care, counseling and training for family caregivers, including grandparents raising grandchildren.

Free help

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