Free government help lines

Phone numbers, websites and other ways to reach the agencies that run benefits for older Americans. Calling them is free, and so is applying.

ESB (EverySeniorBenefits.com) is not a government agency. These numbers reach the agencies directly. We have no phone line of our own and never charge for help.

Protect yourself from scams: government agencies do not call, text or email to ask for money, gift cards or your full Social Security number. If someone contacts you, hang up and call the number on this page.

Social Security and SSI

Social Security national line

Social Security Administration

Call about retirement, disability, survivor or SSI benefits, Social Security cards, Medicare enrollment and replacement Medicare cards.

Waits are usually shorter in the morning and later in the week and month. The automated line, open 24 hours, can send a benefit letter, a replacement SSA-1099 or Medicare card, and change your address or phone. Find a local office at ssa.gov/locator.

Checked on www.ssa.gov

Direct Express card customer service

U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service

Help with the Direct Express prepaid debit card used to receive Social Security, SSI, VA and other federal benefits (balance, lost card, PIN).

Which number to call depends on your card: if it starts with 5141, call 833-347-9777 (TTY 866-444-1000); if it starts with 5332, call 888-741-1115 (TTY 866-569-0447). To sign up for Direct Express, call 800-333-1795, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern.

Checked on fiscal.treasury.gov

Medicare

1-800-MEDICARE

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Call about Medicare coverage, claims, bills, plan choices and enrollment, drug plans, and to report suspected Medicare fraud or file complaints.

This is also how to reach the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman: if your plan or 1-800-MEDICARE has not solved a problem, ask the representative to send your complaint to the Ombudsman. Drug and Medicare Advantage plan complaints can also be filed online at medicare.gov/my/medicare-complaint.

Checked on www.medicare.gov

Medicare Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center (BCRC)

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Tell Medicare about other health insurance (job-based, COBRA, retiree, workers' comp, liability) so it knows who pays first, and ask about Medicare recovery of payments.

Formerly called the Coordination of Benefits Contractor. No separate federal drug-plan helpline exists; drug plan questions go to 1-800-MEDICARE or a SHIP.

Checked on www.cms.gov

SHIP free Medicare counseling

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) National Technical Assistance Center (funded by ACL)

Get free, unbiased one-on-one help from a local counselor to compare Medicare plans, costs, drug coverage and help paying for Medicare.

Checked on www.shiphelp.org

Medicare quality help line (QIO)

Appeal if you think a hospital, nursing home or other Medicare provider is ending your care too soon, or complain about the quality of care. The number depends on your state.

StatesPhoneWebsite
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington1-888-305-6759 (TTY 711)Acentra Health
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee1-888-317-0751 (TTY 711)Acentra Health
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas1-888-315-0636 (TTY 711)Acentra Health
California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, GU, MP, AS1-877-588-1123Commence Health
Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming1-888-317-0891 (TTY 711)Acentra Health
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont1-888-319-8452 (TTY 711)Acentra Health
Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska1-888-755-5580Commence Health
New York, New Jersey, PR, VI1-866-815-5440Commence Health
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin1-888-524-9900Commence Health
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia1-888-396-4646Commence Health

Health coverage and drug costs

HealthCare.gov Marketplace Call Center

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Ask about Marketplace health plans and savings, mainly for people under 65 or not eligible for Medicare (for example a younger spouse).

People with Medicare generally should not buy a Marketplace plan; call 1-800-MEDICARE instead.

Checked on www.healthcare.gov

HHS Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights

File a complaint about discrimination in health care or a violation of health privacy (HIPAA) rights, including by Medicare.

Mail: Office for Civil Rights, HHS, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Room 509F, HHH Building, Washington, DC 20201.

Checked on www.medicare.gov

Alzheimer's and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center

National Institute on Aging (NIH)

Free information about Alzheimer's and other dementias, caregiving, and clinical trials, from an information specialist.

Checked on www.alzheimers.gov

Local help and free counseling

Eldercare Locator

U.S. Administration for Community Living (run by USAging)

Find local help for older adults and caregivers: Area Agency on Aging, meals, transportation, in-home care, caregiver support, legal help and more.

TTY users: call 711 and ask the relay operator to connect you to 1-800-677-1116.

Checked on eldercare.acl.gov

Food, housing and energy bills

USDA National Hunger Hotline

U.S. Department of Agriculture (operated by Hunger Free America)

Find food near you: food pantries, meal sites, SNAP and other food help.

  • Phone 1-866-348-6479 (1-866-3-HUNGRY)
  • Text Text a keyword like food or SNAP plus your ZIP code to 914-342-7744
  • Hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern
  • Languages Spanish line: 1-877-8-HAMBRE (877-842-6273)
  • Website fna.usda.gov/national-hunger-hotline

Checked on www.fna.usda.gov

LIHEAP National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families

Find out where and how to apply for help paying heating or cooling bills (LIHEAP) in your area.

Utility shutoff emergencies: contact your state LIHEAP office.

Checked on acf.gov

HUD housing counseling

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Find a free or low-cost HUD-approved housing counselor for help with mortgage trouble, foreclosure, reverse mortgages, renting or buying a home.

HUD-approved counselors also provide the required counseling for FHA reverse mortgages (HECM).

Checked on www.hud.gov

HUD public housing and Section 8 information (Customer Service Center)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Ask about public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and other HUD programs.

Other HUD lines: FHA Resource Center 800-225-5342 (TTY 800-877-8339); Multifamily Housing Complaint Line 800-685-8470 (TTY 800-432-2209); HUD OIG fraud hotline 800-347-3735; HUD Disaster Line 800-304-9320; HUD headquarters 202-402-3815. Homelessness: dial 2-1-1, press 6.

Checked on www.hud.gov

Phone and internet bills

FCC Consumer Center

Federal Communications Commission

Complain about phone, cable, internet or TV service, robocalls and spoofed calls, or ask about accessible communications.

ASL video phone: 844-432-2275.

Checked on www.fcc.gov

Lifeline Support Center

Universal Service Administrative Company (Lifeline program, FCC)

Ask about Lifeline, the federal discount on phone or internet service for people with low income or on programs like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI or VA pension.

Checked on www.lifelinesupport.org

Veterans

1-800-MyVA411 (VA main line)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

One number to reach VA for any question about benefits, health care or services; it routes you to the right office.

Press 9 to reach a VA service recovery specialist.

Checked on department.va.gov

VA benefits hotline

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Ask about disability compensation, VA pension (including Aid and Attendance), survivor benefits, burial benefits and claim status.

Checked on www.va.gov

VA health care hotline

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Ask about VA health care eligibility, enrolling, and health benefits.

Checked on www.va.gov

VA Caregiver Support Line

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Family caregivers of veterans can get information, support services, short-term counseling for stress, and a link to their local VA Caregiver Support team.

Checked on www.caregiver.va.gov

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing housing, and their families, can get connected to VA housing help.

Checked on www.va.gov

Taxes and pensions

IRS individual taxpayer line

Internal Revenue Service

Ask about your federal tax return, refund, notices, payments or tax account.

  • Phone 1-800-829-1040
  • TTY 1-800-829-4059
  • Hours Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time (Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific time)
  • Languages Spanish at 800-829-1040; other languages (Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian, Haitian Creole) at 833-553-9895
  • Website irs.gov
  • Online IRS Online Account

Find an in-person Taxpayer Assistance Center: https://apps.irs.gov/app/officeLocator/index.jsp

Checked on www.irs.gov

Free tax help: VITA and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)

Internal Revenue Service

Find free tax return preparation by IRS-certified volunteers; TCE focuses on people 60 and older and pension and retirement questions.

VITA generally serves people making about $70,244 or less. AARP Tax-Aide (a TCE program) site locator: 888-227-7669. Sites are mostly open during tax season (roughly January to April).

Checked on www.irs.gov

Taxpayer Advocate Service

Taxpayer Advocate Service (independent office within the IRS)

Free help if an IRS problem is causing financial hardship or has not been fixed through normal IRS channels.

Every state has at least one local advocate office (Publication 1546).

Checked on www.irs.gov

Railroad Retirement Board

U.S. Railroad Retirement Board

Ask about railroad retirement, disability, survivor and unemployment or sickness benefits, and Medicare for railroad retirees.

Field office locator: https://www.rrb.gov/Field-Office-Locator ; field office pages offer secure messaging.

Checked on www.rrb.gov

OPM Retirement Services

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Federal civil service retirees and survivors can ask about annuity payments, survivor benefits, tax withholding and federal retiree health and life insurance.

Busiest time is 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern, so calling earlier or later may mean shorter waits.

Checked on www.opm.gov

PBGC Customer Contact Center

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

Ask about a pension from a company plan that PBGC took over, apply for benefits, report a death or update information.

Find a plan PBGC has taken over: https://www.pbgc.gov/workers-retirees/trusteed-plans . For unresolved problems: [email protected].

Checked on www.pbgc.gov

EBSA benefits advisors

U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration

Free help with problems in a private employer's pension, 401(k), retiree health plan, COBRA or finding a lost retirement plan.

Search for a lost retirement plan: https://lostandfound.dol.gov/

Checked on beta.dol.gov

Scams and fraud

Social Security fraud and scam reporting (SSA OIG)

Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General

Report Social Security scam calls, texts or emails, and fraud involving Social Security benefits or numbers.

Scammers fake "call transfers" to Social Security or its Inspector General. Hang up and call the number yourself.

Checked on oig.ssa.gov

Senior Medicare Patrol national line

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Resource Center (funded by ACL)

Get help spotting, reporting and preventing Medicare fraud, errors and abuse, and get connected to your state SMP.

Checked on smpresource.org

HHS OIG fraud hotline (1-800-HHS-TIPS)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General

Report Medicare or Medicaid fraud, medical identity theft, and fraud in other HHS programs.

Mail: HHS OIG, ATTN: OIG Hotline Operations, P.O. Box 23489, Washington, DC 20026.

Checked on oig.hhs.gov

National Elder Fraud Hotline

U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime

For people 60+ (or family) who lost money or were targeted by fraud; case managers help you report it and connect to resources.

Checked on www.justice.gov

FTC fraud reporting (ReportFraud.ftc.gov)

Federal Trade Commission

Report scams, fraud, identity theft and bad business practices.

For identity theft, report and get a recovery plan at https://www.identitytheft.gov/ (FTC).

Checked on www.ftc.gov

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

Federal Bureau of Investigation

File a report about online or internet-enabled scams and fraud, such as tech support, romance, investment or crypto scams.

Online only; no public complaint phone line. For phone help, IC3's elder fraud page points to the National Elder Fraud Hotline, 833-372-8311. Immediate danger: call 911.

Checked on www.ic3.gov

National Do Not Call Registry

Federal Trade Commission

Add your home or cell number to the Do Not Call list and report unwanted sales calls.

To register by phone, call from the phone number you want to register. If you lost money, report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov instead.

Checked on consumer.ftc.gov

CFPB consumer complaint line

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Complain about a bank, credit card, loan, reverse mortgage, debt collector, credit report or money transfer, or ask a money question.

Checked on www.consumerfinance.gov

Abuse, neglect and crisis

Adult Protective Services (find your state's APS)

National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA)

Report suspected abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of an older or disabled adult to your state's Adult Protective Services.

There is no national hotline to report abuse; each state runs its own Adult Protective Services. Use this finder, or see your state page below. In an emergency, call 911.

Checked on www.napsa-now.org

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (funded by SAMHSA)

Call, text or chat any time if you or someone you care about is in emotional distress, a mental health or substance use crisis, or thinking about suicide.

Phone menu: press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, press 2 for Spanish. Free and confidential. In immediate danger, call 911.

Checked on 988lifeline.org

Veterans Crisis Line

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans, service members and their families in crisis can reach caring, VA-trained responders any time.

You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care. For people with hearing loss, VA pages list TTY 800-799-4889.

Checked on www.veteranscrisisline.net

National Domestic Violence Hotline

National Domestic Violence Hotline (federally funded)

Confidential help for anyone, at any age, experiencing abuse from a partner, spouse or family member, and for friends and family worried about them.

  • Phone 1-800-799-7233 (1-800-799-SAFE)
  • Text Text START to 88788
  • Hours 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
  • Languages Spanish: espanol.thehotline.org
  • Website thehotline.org

Deaf Hotline video phone: 855-812-1001. The website has a quick-exit button (or press Escape twice).

Checked on www.thehotline.org

Other government help

USAGov Contact Center

General Services Administration

Not sure which agency to call? Ask about any federal program, service or benefit and get pointed to the right place.

Checked on www.usa.gov

FEMA Helpline (disaster assistance)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Apply for or ask about federal disaster assistance after a declared disaster.

Video relay users: 711 or VRS to 800-621-3362. FEMA warns its calls may come from unfamiliar numbers.

Checked on www.disasterassistance.gov

Help in your language

Most of these lines have free interpreters. Say the name of your language in English and ask for an interpreter. Find phone help in your language