Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
State Help
Old 03-15-2016, 03:53 PM   #1
Gone but not forgotten
imoldernu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Peru
Posts: 6,335
State Help

If you are independently wealthy, you need not read this. It probably won't apply to you.

The subject is free or low cost benefits that may be available from your state.

Generally speaking, the main benefits are offered to seniors or people needing help, but this is so subject to state laws that each benefit may be based on need, or age... (not necessarily age 65) or just offered as a general benefit.

My State fishing license is free, and I get a discount on my boat registration.

Before I go on, let me review some benefits that we received from Illinois when we retired. (sadly some are no longer available). When we retired, our finances were such that our taxable income was low, or nil... the benefits had nothing to do with our "worth". As I recall we received $8 to $10K over six or seven years for medical expenses assistance. In addition, (and these exist today) the state offers an annual $75 car license reduction, and a "free" transit card. Not sure but I think the qualification is being below $55K taxable income.

I wouldn't pretend to know what other states offer, but as I recall, Florida offered limited free telephone service among some other things such as free passes to attractions or state parks. In looking up California Department on Aging, the first page suggests these benefits may be available

Quote:
Community-Based Adult Services/Adult Day Health Care
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Family Caregiver Support Program
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
Legal Assistance
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Multipurpose Senior Services Program
Nutrition
Senior Community Services Employment Program
Senior Information and Assistance Program
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed)
Supportive Services Program
Looking up your own state benefits, try "(state) department on aging", or "state benefits"...

Too young? Too much money? If not for yourself, maybe for parents or relatives. As I recall, many years ago, I recall an news article that said less than 5% of eligible Illinois residents ever applied for benefits to which they were entitled.

If nothing else, almost all states offer help for seniors, in the form of local or county offices. We have called for info on homestead exemptions, house tax review, and the Illinois Senior home tax freeze, which freezes the value of the home at age 65 or on the date of purchase of the home. We figure that since the purchase of our home in 2004 that the freeze and exemption have saved us many, many thousands of dollars.

While not mentioned here, veterans' benefits are sometimes overlooked as are some Federal benefits .
http://www.eldercaredirectory.org/federal.htm
And of course the lifetime pass to 2000 National parks.. eligibility is just age 62.

It might be helpful to others if anyone can report on their own state's benefits.
imoldernu is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 03-15-2016, 04:12 PM   #2
Moderator
Walt34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern WV Panhandle
Posts: 25,299
The only one I know that I'm eligible for is the National Parks pass, and that is age-qualified, not based on income.

Otherwise, our income is (fortunately) much too high for us to qualify for any state benefits. Others, I don't want to qualify for, such as assistance with in-home care, which is offered on a sliding scale. We probably have too much income to qualify for that anyway. WV is not known for the largess of social benefits and with the reduction in state income because of lower coal and gas production taxes they are struggling to balance the budget. You know it's serious when they're talking about closing state police stations and laying off troopers. When SS starts in a couple of months we'll be even better off.

First world problem that I'm glad to have.
__________________
When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.
Walt34 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2016, 04:24 PM   #3
Moderator
braumeister's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Flyover country
Posts: 25,198
Just for being over 65, I get a combination hunting/fishing license with deer, turkey, waterfowl and trout permits, all for $5.00.
braumeister is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
State-by-state exchange rate data Htown Harry Health and Early Retirement 10 09-30-2013 02:09 PM
Net impact of living in no-state-tax state ? Delawaredave5 FIRE and Money 46 01-06-2013 07:01 PM
State residency for Armed Forces personnels for in-state college tuition. Sam Other topics 9 07-30-2007 05:06 PM
Why does health insurance vary state to state teejayevans Health and Early Retirement 130 04-22-2007 09:21 AM
I'm 51 y.o., female, state employee with 30 yrs state service 82577 Hi, I am... 4 03-26-2007 05:21 PM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:36 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.