Seniors, grab a pen and paper because we’re going to go over five senior helpline numbers that you absolutely need to know! This is especially true if you’re living with a low income. We’re going to show you how to get free food, dirt-cheap hearing aids, help with debt and so much more.
5 Senior Helpline Numbers
Let’s start with a quick review of the 5 most helpful senior helpline numbers we’ve found so far. At the end of this summary, we’ll review some of the frequently asked questions that we get about these services.
Get help with hearing aids at 888-258-5305.
This number was provided exclusively for Low Income Relief by our friends and affiliates at CareConnect USA. They have connected with a specialty hearing aid provider that can help you save thousands of dollars on hearing aid costs. From what I understand, there is a low monthly payment plan available that makes it easy for eligible low income people with hearing loss to get what they need… so if you know someone who struggles with hearing, please tell them to call 888-258-5305 today for assistance.
Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116.
The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the US Administration on Aging. This hotline is dedicated to connecting older adults and their families and caregivers to resources that can help meet their needs. These services may include housing, insurance issues, food resources, meal programs, transportation, information about elder rights and other support services.
They can help you find resources in your area, so I highly recommend calling them at 800-677-1116 for assistance.
Find someone to talk to at 800-971-0016.
Loneliness is one of the biggest problems facing America’s low income seniors today. The Institute of Aging runs the only accredited toll-free crisis line exclusively for seniors over the age of 60 years old and for adults with disabilities.
The Friendship Line is a 24-hour senior helpline that is available 7 days per week. In addition to offering crisis support, the Friendship Line can also provide a listening ear and friendship if you are just feeling lonely or want someone to talk with.
They can also provide outreach for eligible callers, so they can check in with you periodically as well. If you’d like someone to call you periodically, just let them know.
Again, the Friendship Line number is 800-971-0016.
Get help with debt at 866-530-9949.
This is another number from our friends and affiliates at CareConnect USA. When you call their hotline, you’ll be connected to a debt relief counselor who can help you navigate your debt issues. Seniors face unique issues with debt and are often targeted for scams, so it’s helpful to have someone you can trust to talk you through these issues. Again, that number is 866-530-9949.
Connect with resources at 211.
211 is always a trusty resource for finding help in your area. This hotline, run by the United Way, helps people find food banks, housing help, clothing, transportation, legal aid, and so much more in their local communities. The 211 hotline serves all 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico with helpful information. In many areas, you can also reach the 211 hotline over online chat or even text message as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about these senior helplines, you’re not alone. We’ll address the most common questions in this section but you’re always welcome to ask us directly in the comments as well.
Are you compensated by these senior helplines?
We do receive a referral commission when you call the helplines for hearing aids and debt advice. However, we are not compensated for the other helplines in this list.
Are there good chat rooms for seniors?
Many seniors are scammed in chat rooms so we do not recommend them. If you would like someone to talk to, we recommend calling the Friendship Line, joining local Facebook groups, or meeting new people at your local senior center. Volunteering is another great way to meet new friends in a safe environment.
Are these the only safe senior helplines?
No. There are more senior helplines out there. Many counties and cities have their own senior helpline numbers but there are so many we couldn’t vet them all. We will update this post as we find new useful numbers for seniors.
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.