Federal cost of living increase 2024: American Council on Aging helps older US citizens fight inflation [Video]

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The rising cost of living is impacting all of us, but inflation is hitting older Americans especially hard. In particular, it’s taking a bite out of the budgets people with fixed incomes live on.

There is help available. However, many people have no idea what they qualify for, leaving an estimated $30 billion on the table each year in unused benefits, according to The National Council on Aging.

The organization works to help connect people with programs that help pay for necessities like food, electricity, rent, and medicine.

There are two ways to find out what kind of help may be available for you or someone you love. You can go to the Benefits CheckUp website to find federal, state, and local resources or call 1-800-794-6559 to interact with a representative who can walk you through the process.

The American Council on Aging’s chief customer officer, Josh Hodges, said shame is a key hurdle some …