Welcome to Low Income Relief, where we bring you the latest news and resources for low income families, seniors, and individuals across the country. This month, we’re covering important updates on Medicare, tax credits, housing, and much more. Let’s dive in!
Nationwide News
Let’s start with the nationwide news that applies no matter where you live.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
Did you know there are over 24,000 Medicare plans nationwide? That’s an insane number, and it makes it really hard to compare benefits. Some sources estimate that up to 90% of American seniors are on the wrong plan. That can cost you more money and it can be disastrous for your health.
A lot of seniors have found themselves blindsided by unexpected changes to their health care last year. Many Medicare Advantage plans have disappeared entirely from certain states, while others have made major cutbacks or changes. That means some people are finding their doctors are no longer in-network, essential medications aren’t covered, or their benefits have been reduced.
That’s the bad news; the good news is that there’s still time to get help with this… and we’ve discovered a new resource that makes it easier than ever to find the perfect Medicare plan for you… but you have to act fast.
So here’s the thing. You may already know that the standard Open Enrollment period ended on December 7th… but what you may not know is that the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period opened on January 1st. From now until March 31st, you still have the chance to make adjustments if you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan. During this time, you can switch to a new Advantage plan or even switch back to Original Medicare if you need to.
I know all of this can feel overwhelming because with 24,000 plans, Medicare is pretty incomprehensible to most of us. That’s where our partner Chapter comes in.
Chapter is the only free, unbiased Medicare advisor that can compare all 24,000 plans nationwide to help you find the best, most personalized coverage. Their licensed advisors work one-on-one with you to make sure your plan fits your health needs and budget.
Whether you’ve been impacted by recent plan changes or you’re just unsure if you’re on the right plan, Chapter can help. Their services are completely free, and they’re here to ensure you make the best possible decision.
Visit lirlinks.com/chapter to get started today. With Chapter, you can avoid being part of that 90% on the wrong plan and find the coverage you deserve.
There’s more good news for Medicare beneficiaries. The White House has announced that popular medications like Wegovy and Ozempic are now part of Medicare price negotiations. Past negotiations have resulted in discounts of up to 79%, so this could lead to significant savings for those using these medications.
Last year’s negotiations resulted in discounts ranging from 38% to 79% off list prices, which will start next year. If similar results are achieved this time, it could mean lower out-of-pocket costs for those on Medicare.
Free Tax Filing Help
Tax season is upon us. Don’t be tricked into paying to file your taxes! There are free and low-cost services available to help.
Even if you don’t have to file taxes, it’s worth filing just to claim the credits you may be eligible for. I’ve recently discovered some incredible tax credits that I think a lot of seniors miss out on, even though they’re still eligible… but I’m not an accountant, so I’m going to have to refer you to a tax professional for more information on all that.
Here’s how you can get some professional help for free:
- VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) offers Free tax help for people who earn $60,000 or less, those with disabilities, or individuals with limited English proficiency. Find a VITA site near you at irs.gov/vita.
- TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) is Focused on helping seniors aged 60 and older, TCE offers free assistance with pensions, retirement-related tax issues, and more. Learn more at aarp.org/taxaide.
- IRS Free File is available if you’re comfortable filing your own taxes. The IRS Free File program lets you prepare and e-file your federal taxes online at no cost. It’s available for individuals or families earning $73,000 or less. Visit irs.gov/freefile to access this tool.
State-Specific Updates
Now let’s look at the local news updates that are available this week.
Alaska
Anchorage Alaska residents can get free legal help on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. That’s January 20, 2025. The event will be at the Mountain View Girls and Boys Club in Anchorage from Noon to 4 PM. Low income individuals can get advice on issues like family law, housing, wills, and public benefits.
A free shuttle will run from 1 PM to 4 PM between the event and the 56th Avenue Shelter and Hope Center Downtown Soup Kitchen so that it’s easier to get the help you need.
Delaware
In Delaware, the state is gearing up to reopen their public housing waitlists in February! This opportunity doesn’t come along very often, so it’s important to be ready.
Starting February 3, 2025, low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities can apply for Housing Choice Vouchers and low-income public housing. These programs provide rental assistance to low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. When the applications open, you’ll be able to apply at Delaware dot AffordableHousing.com.
If you previously applied and were on the waitlist, you should’ve received a letter informing you that you were required to update your information by December 31, 2024. Only 13% of the people who were already on the waitlist responded, which means that most people missed the deadline. If you’re one of those people, don’t worry—you can appeal to reinstate your placement by visiting the website or calling (855) 301-5920.
Participating housing authorities include the Delaware State Housing Authority, Dover Housing Authority, New Castle County Housing Authority, Newark Housing Authority, and Wilmington Housing Authority. This will be your chance to secure vital housing support, so don’t miss it!
Georgia
The state’s limited Medicaid expansion program called Georgia Pathways may be expanding. They want the program to cover low income parents and guardians of children who are age six or under. To qualify, the family must have an income that is at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level. The state government has reached out to the federal government for permission for this expansion, so we’ll see what happens.
Indiana
The Kosciusko County Community Foundation has awarded a $2 million grant to Intend Indiana, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit, to expand homeownership assistance programs in their county.
The funding will support low-income homebuyers through the HomePower program, which offers financial assistance for down payments and closing costs. Eligible homebuyers earning 80% or less of the area median income can access a 30-year mortgage with a 2% fixed interest rate.
The program also includes homeowner education to help participants navigate the home-buying process and achieve long-term success. This initiative aims to make homeownership more accessible for low-income families in the community.
You can reach out to Intend Indiana for details if you’re interested.
Iowa
In Iowa, thousands of Iowa mothers will soon be eligible to receive extended postpartum Medicaid coverage. Governor Kim Reynolds announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the extension, increasing coverage from 60 days to 12 months. This new coverage applies to families within 215% of the federal poverty level. While the law was originally set to begin this month, implementation has been delayed as the state awaits further details from CMS. The state is now just waiting for final details to get this going.
Kansas
In Kansas, Douglas County is offering a one-year property tax rebate program for low-income seniors and disabled veterans. Eligible households can receive up to $300 or the county portion of their property tax—whichever is less.
You may be eligible if you are at least 65 years old or a disabled veteran. You must meet HUD income limits and live in a home that you own, and your home cannot be valued at more than $350,000.
Applications are available at dgcoks.gov/taxrebate and must be submitted with proof of income and required documents by April 15, 2025. Rebates will be mailed out by July 2025.
Missouri
In Columbia, Missouri, the Columbia Parks and Recreation department is offering free True/False Film Fest tickets to local low income households. You need to have an income that is 185% or less of the Federal Poverty Level in order to qualify.
If you’re interested, you can register for your free pass online or by calling the Parks & Rec department at (573) 874-7460. The passes are only available until the end of January.
New York
For years, the state of New York has been in a legal battle with broadband providers over a law designed to make affordable internet a reality for low income households. The fight reached the highest courts, and now, after the Supreme Court declined to hear the case, an earlier appeals court ruling stands.
This means that, effective January 15, 2025, the Affordable Broadband Act, or ABA, is back in action. Here’s what that means for New Yorkers: Internet service providers with at least 20,000 subscribers are now required to offer low-cost plans for low income customers. They must provide 25 Mbps broadband service for just $15 per month, or 200 Mbps service for $20 per month. And those prices include taxes and fees!
Now, it’s important to note that there are some exemptions. Smaller ISPs with fewer than 20,000 customers may be excused if complying would cause unreasonable or unsustainable financial strain on their business. But for the majority of providers in the state, the rules are clear: failure to comply could result in fines of up to $1,000 per violation.
Some companies, like AT&T, have decided to stop offering internet plans in New York because of this. AT&T specifically dropped their 5G Home Internet plan in New York. They said that existing users will be able to continue using their internet plans until March 1st and that AT&T will not charge them for that time, so that they have the chance to find a different internet provider.
Overall, though, it looks like this is a big win for New York residents who’ve been waiting for more affordable internet options. If you qualify for this program, be sure to check with your provider and explore your options!
Oregon
In Oregon, Medicaid is expanding to cover 4,000 young adults who have special needs. Those special needs include intellectual, physical or mental disabilities, as well as certain qualifying conditions like asthma or diabetes. The program raises the income limit to 205% of the Federal Poverty Level for these people, so that they can be eligible even if they wouldn’t normally qualify due to income. The changes also expand benefits to include more dental and vision services for all young adults on Medicaid. The expansion will cover things like crowns, braces and even contact lenses.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Department of Revenue is now accepting applications for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program, offering tax relief to low-income seniors and people with disabilities. You can receive up to $1,000 in relief from this program.
Eligible individuals include people aged 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older who earn up to $46,520 annually.
Applications are available online at pa.gov/ptrr. Make sure you apply right away so you don’t miss out, but you’ll probably hear me mention this again since applications aren’t due until June 30th.
Tennessee
The Nashville Electric Service in Tennessee is accepting applications for the Home Uplift program. This program provides essential home upgrades that make your home more energy efficient. If you’re interested, you can apply by filling out the form at nespower.com.
Texas
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHS) recently discovered that seven employees improperly accessed—and in some cases, stole—information from the accounts of people who receive Medicaid, food stamps, and other forms of public assistance.
This breach has impacted over 61,000 Texans, including low-income families, individuals with disabilities, and children. This situation is deeply concerning, and we know it may feel overwhelming for those affected.
The state is taking steps to address this. If your information was involved, you’ll receive a letter by first-class mail very soon. The state is also offering two years of free credit monitoring to protect your financial security. If you have questions or concerns, you can call 866-362-1773 and reference B138648 for assistance.
Virginia
In Virginia, the University of Virginia has launched a mobile care unit that will bring healthcare access to underserved communities like the Fifeville and Southwood neighborhoods in Charlottesville. The van will be available twice a month and offer a variety of services. It accepts most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. For details, contact UVA Health.
Relief Recap
From Medicare updates to affordable housing programs, there are a lot of new opportunities for financial assistance this month. We covered the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, tax credits, Medicaid expansions, and free legal help, as well as property tax rebates and affordable internet options.
Be sure to take advantage of these resources while they’re available! Don’t forget to visit LowIncomeRelief.com for even more ways to save money and get free help.
The views and opinions expressed by the host(s) during this article are solely those of the host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of the Social Security Administration, Medicare, Chapter, or its affiliates. Chapter makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the content provided by the host(s). Any statements made by the host(s) are for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as official positions of the Social Security Administration, Medicare, Chapter, or its affiliates. Chapter disclaims any liability for any actions taken based on the host’s views. If you need help with Medicare, please contact Medicare, your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), your current Medicare insurance agent/broker/plan, or feel free to contact our Medicare partner, Chapter, at 417-319-2139 or visit their website at https://lirlinks.com/chapter. Chapter: Memoir, Inc. d/b/a Chapter is a privately owned, data and technology-enabled advisory that helps older Americans navigate retirement. Insurance agency services are provided by Chapter Advisory, LLC, a licensed health insurance agency and wholly owned subsidiary of Memoir, Inc. In California, Chapter Advisory, LLC does business as Chapter Insurance Services (Lic. No. 6003691). Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand-alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While Chapter has a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you search among all plans, Chapter has contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, they do not offer every plan available in your area. They search and recommend all plans, even those they don’t directly offer. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.