The federal government, state governments and private organizations provide various types of grants to improve the lives of the elderly. Senior citizens who have reached retirement age and have low income or no income at all qualify to receive these grants. Applicants must provide documents such as income tax returns, pay slips and other information to substantiate their claims.
Public Housing Grants
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides public housing for senior citizens, low-income families and disabled individuals in all states, including Georgia. Public housing authorities are eligible to receive grants to help them provide all of the services senior citizens need when living in public housing. HOPE VI is one of the grants that this department provides. Although seniors are not the direct recipients of this grant, they receive the benefits of this grant when living in public housing. HOPE VI provides funds to make physical improvements, make management improvements, and support social and community services to address the needs of senior citizens who live in public housing, according to the information provided by the HUD. To find out more about this program, you may contact your local public housing agency.
Education Grants
In Georgia, senior citizens who are 62 years of age and older are eligible to receive government and nongovernment education grants. Many universities in Georgia do not charge any tuition to senior citizens who want to finish their education. The Primetimers Tuition Waiver Program of Georgia Perimeter College gives senior citizens the opportunity to start and complete an associate degree for free. Part of the requirements for admission include that the applicant must have completed at least 12 credit hours. To apply, senior applicants must submit immunization documents, transcripts of records from high school, GED records and a college university transcript. Although the grant provides free tuition, seniors must pay for their own books and technology fees.
Consumer Discount Grant
Discount grants on consumer products are available to help senior citizens from less-privileged households. The state of Georgia offers discounts in the purchase of natural gas, which seniors may use for cooking and heat. The Lifeline Assistance Program in Georgia offers seniors a $13.50 credit on monthly telephone bills as of 2011. These grants are available through the cooperation of local utility companies. If the senior citizen has an electric bill in his name and his household income (or the income in the household in which he lives) is less than $21,600 per year, he is eligible to receive a 6 percent reduction of electric bills.
Federal Grants
The federal government offers grants to elderly members of the community to help them pay for expenses related to their health and other daily needs. Federal grants also include housing and education benefits, as well as health care. Some of the federal grants available to senior citizens in Georgia are the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Companion program, Tax Counseling for the Elderly program and Weatherization Assistance program.
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