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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIf retirement income no longer covers your bills, start by protecting housing, utilities, food, medicine, and immediate safety. Make a short list of what is due and what is already overdue, contact each biller before the situation worsens, and ask 211 about local help. Then check whether benefits or medical-cost programs could increase income or reduce expenses. No single program is guaranteed to solve a shortfall, and eligibility and aid depend on your circumstances and location.
What to do first when bills are overdue
List the essentials and the deadlines
On one page, write down your income, essential expenses, due dates, overdue amounts, and any notice about eviction, foreclosure, utility shutoff, repossession, or a court case. Prioritize housing, utilities, food, medicines, and immediate safety. Keep the notices together and note any response deadline.
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If you have received court papers, a shutoff notice, or an eviction or foreclosure notice, do not ignore it or assume a creditor or provider will pause action. Contact the relevant court, legal aid organization, local authority, or service provider promptly.
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Contact your landlord or mortgage servicer, utility, medical provider, and other creditors as soon as you can. Ask whether they offer a hardship plan, payment arrangement, different due date, fee waiver, or assistance application. These are options to ask about, not remedies everyone is entitled to receive.
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Write down the date, the person you spoke with, the terms discussed, and any confirmation number. If an arrangement is offered, ask for its terms in writing and make sure you understand what happens if you miss a payment.
Find local help and screen for benefits
Start with 211 for local referrals
Call 211 or visit 211 to ask about local rent, utility, food, and other assistance. The service is a free, confidential referral starting point, but programs and funding vary by community; a referral does not mean aid is available or that you qualify. The CFPB also points people seeking rent or utility assistance to 211 in its rent-assistance guidance.
For federal, state, and local benefit information, the Social Security Administration directs people to USA.gov’s benefit finder. Ask the local agency what documents are needed and whether an application can be expedited if you face an imminent loss of housing, utilities, food, or medicine.
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Check whether SSI may increase income
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides payments to some people with limited income and resources who are age 65 or older, blind, or have a qualifying disability. Being 65 or older does not by itself establish eligibility; Social Security applies program rules to the applicant’s financial and other circumstances. Read the SSA’s SSI eligibility and application information. People receiving SSI may also want to ask their state agency about SNAP and Medicaid.
Lower Medicare premiums and prescription costs
Ask your state about Medicare Savings Programs
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) can help pay Part A and/or Part B premiums. Depending on the program, they may also cover deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Apply through your state; income and resource rules vary, and some states allow eligibility above federal limits. The federal figures below are the limits Medicare lists for 2026, not a guarantee that a person qualifies; Alaska and Hawaii have adjustments, and state rules may be more generous.
| Program | 2026 monthly income limit | 2026 resource limit | Potential help |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) | $1,350 individual; $1,824 married couple | $9,950 individual; $14,910 married couple | Part A and Part B premiums and Medicare cost sharing |
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) | $1,616 individual; $2,184 married couple | $9,950 individual; $14,910 married couple | Part B premium |
| Qualifying Individual (QI) | $1,816 individual; $2,455 married couple | $9,950 individual; $14,910 married couple | Part B premium; funding is limited |
| Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) | $5,405 individual; $7,299 married couple | $4,000 individual; $6,000 married couple | Part A premium; specialized category for certain disabled working people |
These figures are from Medicare’s Medicare Savings Programs page. Ask your state Medicaid or benefits agency about current rules, how it counts income and resources, and how to apply.
Check Extra Help and contact SHIP
Extra Help can reduce Medicare Part D prescription drug costs. Medicare lists 2026 income and resource thresholds of $23,940 and $18,090 for an individual, and $32,460 and $36,100 for a married couple. These are program figures, not a decision about an individual applicant; check the current rules and counting details on Medicare’s Extra Help page. Some people qualify automatically.
Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, individualized Medicare counseling and can help you understand coverage and apply for assistance. Find your local program through SHIP’s official site.
Address medical bills before borrowing
If a medical bill is unaffordable, first check that it is correct and ask the provider about financial assistance. Request an itemized bill and compare it with your insurance explanation of benefits. Ask the hospital or provider for its financial assistance policy and application process before putting the balance on a credit card or taking out a loan.
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Potential routes include charity care, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, and help from a credit counselor. USA.gov’s medical-bill guidance describes options to investigate. A provider’s assistance policy and eligibility are specific to that provider and your circumstances.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Respond carefully to debt collection
If a debt collector contacts you, verify who they are and what debt they claim you owe. Keep the letter, envelope, messages, and notes from calls. If you dispute a debt, follow the instructions and deadlines in the validation notice. If you are sued, respond promptly and seek legal help; do not assume the case will go away. The CFPB explains debt-collection rights and options, including protections against unfair practices by covered debt collectors.
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When someone needs help managing benefit payments
If handling benefit income has become difficult, ask Social Security about a representative payee. A payee is formally appointed to manage benefits for someone who cannot manage them independently. The payee must use the money for the person’s current needs, such as housing, utilities, food, and medical care; keep records; and may use remaining funds for past-due bills. This is a defined benefits-management role, not informal permission for another person to take control of an adult’s finances. See the SSA representative payee guidance.
Choose the next step by the problem
| Need | First place to ask | What it may change |
|---|---|---|
| Rent, utilities, food, or urgent local support | 211 and local agencies | Referral to local assistance; availability and funding vary |
| More income with limited resources | Social Security | Possible SSI payment if eligible |
| Medicare premiums or cost sharing | State Medicaid or benefits agency; SHIP | Possible MSP help with premiums and, for some programs, cost sharing |
| Prescription drug costs | Medicare; SHIP | Possible Extra Help for Part D expenses |
| Medical balance | Hospital or provider billing office | Possible charity care or payment arrangement; first review the bill |
| Debt collection or lawsuit | CFPB guidance; legal aid or attorney if sued | Information on rights, dispute steps, and case-specific legal help |
| Difficulty managing Social Security benefits | Social Security | Assessment for a formal representative payee |
Public referrals and counseling may be free, but assistance is not guaranteed. Before borrowing or paying a company that promises to settle debts, understand the fees, risks, and alternatives; credit counseling and commercial debt settlement are not interchangeable. Take urgent notices directly to the agency, provider, court, or legal aid office responsible for the issue.
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