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Eviction prevention and emergency rent help for older adults on Medicare

How Understood Care Advocates Help You Navigate Doctor’s Appointments

Keeping up with doctor’s appointments is essential to managing health and staying informed, but it can often feel overwhelming. From scheduling and transportation to understanding medical advice and ensuring proper follow-up, there are many details to manage. This is where Understood Care can help. Our advocates serve as trusted guides, working alongside you or your loved one to make the process easier, more organized, and more comfortable.

Personalized Support Before and After Every Appointment
Understood Care advocates provide hands-on help with all aspects of medical visits. We help you schedule appointments, confirm provider information, and prepare for the visit itself. This might include reviewing your questions ahead of time, making sure prescriptions are current, or gathering any medical records needed. After the appointment, we help you understand the doctor’s recommendations and take the right steps to follow through on care instructions, referrals, or additional tests.

A Partner to Help You Understand Your Care
Medical visits can involve unfamiliar language, new diagnoses, or complex treatment plans. Your advocate is there to help translate this information into clear, understandable terms. We make sure you feel confident about what was discussed during the visit and that you know what actions to take next. If something is unclear or left unanswered, your advocate can follow up with your provider to get the information you need.

Coordination Across Your Care Team
Many people receive care from more than one doctor. Your advocate helps ensure that your care is well coordinated across primary care providers, specialists, and other professionals. We help share information between offices, keep records consistent, and make sure appointments align with your overall care goals. This reduces confusion and helps prevent important details from being overlooked.

Support for Getting to and From the Appointment
Transportation should never be the reason you miss a doctor’s visit. Your advocate helps you arrange reliable ways to get to and from appointments. Whether that means booking a ride service, coordinating with a caregiver, or finding community transportation resources, we make sure you have safe and timely access to care. We also consider mobility needs, language assistance, and other accessibility factors to support your comfort and safety.

Emotional and Practical Support Throughout
Doctor’s visits can bring up feelings of stress, uncertainty, or fatigue, especially when managing long-term conditions or complex health needs. Understood Care advocates are here to offer steady support throughout the experience. We are here to listen, provide encouragement, and help you make informed decisions without feeling overwhelmed.

Confidence in Every Step of the Journey
With Understood Care, you are never alone in managing your medical appointments. From the moment you schedule your visit to the follow-up that comes afterward, your advocate is there to help you stay organized, prepared, and empowered. We make it easier to stay connected to the care you need and to move forward with confidence.

Content

  • Why health events and coverage gaps can trigger a rent crisis
  • Warning signs that your housing may be at risk
  • Emergency rent help for seniors on Medicare
  • Which programs look at income, assets, or both
  • How to work with hospital social workers, case managers, and Area Agencies on Aging
  • Practical steps you can take today
  • Frequently asked questions about eviction prevention and emergency rent help
  • Talk with your care team and get coordinated support
  • References

Why health events and coverage gaps can trigger a rent crisis

If you are an older adult on Medicare, you may already feel pressure from rising rent, groceries, and utilities. When a serious health event or coverage gap appears on top of that, it can tip a fragile budget into a housing crisis.

Medicare, fixed incomes, and rising housing costs

Many people with Medicare live on modest, often fixed incomes. Recent analyses show that a large share of Medicare beneficiaries have relatively low income and limited savings to fall back on if new expenses appear. On average, people with Medicare spend a significant portion of their income on health care, including premiums, deductibles, and services that Medicare does not fully cover.

At the same time, housing costs for older adults have climbed. National housing research groups report that roughly one in three older households now spends more than 30 percent of their income on housing, and many spend over half. When you are already cost burdened, even a single hospital stay or new prescription can make it hard to keep up with rent.

Older adults are also more likely to live on Social Security or pension income that does not automatically keep pace with rapid rent increases. Federal agencies and researchers have warned that more older adults are becoming homeless as rents rise faster than fixed incomes.

How hospitalizations and new diagnoses affect your budget

Serious health events can quickly change your monthly costs.

  • A hospital stay can trigger a Medicare Part A deductible and daily copays after a certain number of days.
  • If you need a skilled nursing facility (SNF) after the hospital, Medicare covers only limited days when specific conditions are met, and you may still have coinsurance.
  • Medicare does not cover long term custodial care in a nursing home and does not pay your rent at home.

On top of medical bills, you may face new costs like:

  • Home health visits, personal care, or help with daily tasks
  • Transportation for follow-up appointments
  • Assistive equipment or home modifications
  • Lost income if you or a caregiver had part-time work

Hospitalization itself can worsen mobility and independence in older adults, making it harder to return safely to your previous living situation without additional support. All of this can strain a budget that was just barely covering rent.

Medical debt, credit, and eviction risk

Even when you have Medicare, you can still end up with medical bills that are confusing or higher than expected. National studies show that medical debt is strongly associated with difficulty paying rent and utilities, and with a higher risk of eviction or foreclosure.

One large research study found that adults who newly acquired medical debt were more likely to report being unable to pay rent or mortgage and more likely to experience eviction over the following years. Another study focusing on Medicare beneficiaries found that housing insecurity often follows sudden economic shocks, forcing people to choose between medications and other basic needs.

In short, a health crisis can quickly spill over into a housing crisis.

Health conditions and disability can make housing more expensive

As you age, you are more likely to live with multiple chronic conditions that need ongoing treatment. You may also be at higher risk for falls and injuries that lead to hospitalization and disability.

Needing a first-floor unit, an elevator building, or an accessible bathroom can limit your housing options and sometimes increase rent. You might also need to pay for home modifications like grab bars or ramps. Research on older adults shows that the combined burden of housing plus care costs is unaffordable for many, especially those already living on fixed incomes.

Warning signs that your housing may be at risk

If you notice any of the following, it may be time to look for eviction prevention or emergency rent help:

  • You are paying rent late or skipping other bills to keep up with rent.
  • You are choosing between prescriptions, food, and rent.
  • You rely on credit cards or loans for basic expenses after a hospital stay or new diagnosis.
  • You received a written notice from your landlord about late rent, a rent increase, or lease violations.
  • You are behind on utilities or have received shutoff notices.
  • Your health has changed so much that you can no longer safely live in your current unit without help or modifications.

You do not need to wait until you receive a formal eviction notice. Reaching out earlier gives more time to find programs and negotiate with your landlord.

Emergency rent help for seniors on Medicare

Medicare itself rarely pays rent, but being on Medicare can make you eligible for certain income based programs and health related social supports.

Start locally: 211, state programs, and housing hotlines

If you are short on rent right now, some of the quickest places to start include:

  • State or local emergency rental assistance programs. The federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program provided large grants to states, tribes, and local governments to prevent evictions. Many areas have adapted or extended these programs to keep vulnerable renters housed.
  • Your state’s emergency rent help listings. The federal government’s USAGov website directs renters to state and local emergency rent assistance searches and programs.
  • Calling 211 or your local information line. In many communities, dialing 211 connects you to a trained specialist who can refer you to housing, utility, food, and legal assistance in your area.

When you call, have your lease, recent pay stubs or benefit statements, and the amount you need to avoid eviction.

Federal housing programs for older adults on fixed income

Several long standing federal housing programs aim to keep older adults and people with disabilities stably housed. All of them have limited funding and waiting lists in many areas, but they can be powerful tools over the long term.

Key programs include:

  • Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). This program helps very low income renters, including many older adults, by paying part of the rent directly to the landlord. Tenants typically pay a portion of their income toward rent and utilities, while the voucher covers the rest.
  • Public housing. Some public housing developments are designated for older adults and people with disabilities. Rents are usually based on a percentage of household income.
  • Other HUD assisted housing. Federal housing assistance programs are closely tied to health outcomes. Research shows that adults receiving HUD assistance often have high rates of chronic disease and disability, but stable housing can help better manage those conditions.

Eligibility is typically based on income for your area, family size, and immigration status. Local public housing agencies may also apply asset rules and review household history.

Other crisis funds and community programs

Beyond federal housing programs, you may also find help from:

  • State and county eviction prevention funds
  • Local nonprofits and community action agencies
  • Faith based or neighborhood organizations
  • Disease specific organizations that help with rent in medical emergencies

Many of these programs are short term and can help cover one or several months of rent to keep you housed while longer term solutions are arranged.

How Medicare and Medicaid sometimes connect to rental assistance

It can be confusing to understand where Medicare ends and other programs begin.

  • Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Original Medicare does not pay rent or long term housing costs, and it does not cover long term custodial care. However, recent policy changes allow some Medicare Advantage plans to offer limited housing related benefits, such as short term rental assistance or help with utilities, when there is a reasonable expectation that doing so will improve health outcomes.
  • Medicaid and long term services and supports. Medicaid is the primary payer for long term services and supports, which may be provided in nursing facilities or through home and community based services. Medicaid cannot usually pay your rent directly, but many states now fund tenancy supports such as housing search assistance, landlord mediation, and help avoiding eviction for people at risk of homelessness.

If you are on Medicare and have low income, applying for Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program may free up money that you can then use toward rent.

Which programs look at income, assets, or both

Understanding how your income and savings are counted can help you target the right programs and reduce surprises.

Programs mainly focused on income

Many housing and emergency rent programs focus on income, not savings.

  • Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing primarily use your adjusted annual income to determine eligibility and rent contributions, within HUD’s local income limits.
  • State and local emergency rental assistance often focuses on whether you are under a certain income percentage of the area median income and have experienced a qualifying hardship, such as a loss of income, illness, or unexpected expenses.

Recent federal rules have introduced maximum asset limits for some HUD programs, but in practice, most older renters seeking help have modest resources and are more likely to be screened on income.

Programs that look at both income and assets

Some safety net programs consider both your monthly income and the value of what you own.

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a federal cash benefit for people with very low income and limited resources who are older or have disabilities. To qualify, you must have countable resources below federal limits, which for 2025 remain $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple, although many items such as your primary home and one vehicle do not count.
  • Medicaid for long term services and supports (LTSS). Medicaid LTSS can pay for nursing home care or home and community based services, but states apply detailed income and asset rules. These may include home equity limits, “spousal impoverishment” protections for married couples, and penalties for transferring assets below fair market value within a lookback period.
  • Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). MSPs help pay Medicare premiums and sometimes deductibles and coinsurance for people with low income. Most states have resource limits as well as income limits, although some states have chosen to eliminate the asset test.

These programs do not directly pay your rent, but they can significantly reduce your health related bills, freeing more of your limited income for housing.

Programs that often do not count assets

Many nonprofit eviction prevention funds, faith based programs, and short term community grants do not conduct a formal asset review. They may:

  • Focus on current income and expenses
  • Ask for proof of a current crisis, such as an eviction notice or shutoff notice
  • Require that you demonstrate how one time help will restore stability

Even if you have small savings, do not assume you are automatically ineligible. Ask each program how they define “need,” and be honest about your situation.

How to work with hospital social workers, case managers, and Area Agencies on Aging

You do not need to navigate eviction risk and rent help alone. Health care and aging services professionals are increasingly focused on housing stability as a key part of health.

Hospital social workers and discharge planners

If you are in the hospital or a rehab facility, ask to speak with a social worker or case manager as soon as possible.

Hospitals commonly use social workers to:

  • Plan for a safe discharge
  • Coordinate home health, rehab, or skilled nursing facility placements
  • Help with insurance issues and prior authorizations
  • Connect patients with community resources and financial assistance

Cleveland Clinic and similar health systems describe social workers as key members of the care team who help reduce barriers to medical, social, and financial resources and who play a primary role in discharge planning.

Tell the social worker clearly if:

  • You are behind on rent or expect to be because of this illness.
  • Your current home is no longer safe for you due to stairs, lack of bathroom access, or other hazards.
  • You have received an eviction notice or think you may be evicted soon.

Ask them to help you:

  • Apply for emergency rent or utility assistance
  • Connect with legal aid or a tenants’ rights organization in your area
  • Contact your landlord to confirm your discharge plan and discuss payment options

If you would like ongoing help tracking appointments, paperwork, and bills after discharge, a care advocate can help coordinate your care and prepare you for visits. You can learn more about Care Coordination from Understood Care or Appointments support.

Medicare Advantage and other health plan case managers

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or a special needs plan, you may have access to a care manager through your health plan.

Care managers can often:

  • Review whether your plan offers supplemental benefits such as limited rent or utility help, home modifications, or transportation when needed for health
  • Help you apply for Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, or extra help with prescription costs
  • Coordinate with your hospital team, primary care clinician, and community providers

Recent research notes that health systems and Medicare Advantage plans are increasingly allowed to invest in housing and rental assistance when it is expected to improve health outcomes.

When you talk with your care manager, describe your housing situation as clearly as your medical symptoms.

Area Agencies on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Centers

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are local organizations that help older adults live safely in their communities. They offer or coordinate services such as meals, transportation, home modifications, caregiver support, and benefits counseling.

Surveys and federal reports show that:

  • More than 80 percent of AAAs provide at least one housing or homelessness related service, such as home repairs, landlord mediation, or help with rent problems.
  • Many AAAs now run or partner in homelessness prevention and eviction prevention programs.
  • New federal initiatives highlight AAAs as key partners in Medicaid funded housing supports, including tenancy support services that help people stay housed.

You can usually find your local AAA through your state’s aging services website or by asking 211. AAAs may also operate Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) that serve both older adults and younger people with disabilities.

Ask your AAA or ADRC whether they can:

  • Help you apply for emergency rent or utility assistance
  • Provide landlord mediation or eviction prevention services
  • Connect you with home modifications, fall prevention programs, or home care
  • Help with applications for SSI, Medicaid, or Medicare Savings Programs

If you prefer a partner to handle complex forms and follow through on applications, you can also look into Application Help from Understood Care and Social Support services.

Coordinating your support team

To get the most from these helpers:

  • Give permission for your hospital, health plan, AAA, and any advocates to communicate with each other.
  • Share the same up to date list of medications, health conditions, and clinicians with everyone.
  • Bring or send copies of your lease, recent rent notices, and bills.
  • Be clear about your priorities, such as avoiding eviction, staying in your current community, or finding more accessible housing.

Understood Care advocates can also support you with Home Care planning and Transportation help so that you can keep appointments and remain safely at home when possible.

Practical steps you can take today

If you are worried about paying rent or facing eviction, consider the following actions:

  1. Review your housing situation.
    • How much do you owe in rent right now?
    • Have you received any written notices from your landlord or the court?
    • Is your current home safe for your health needs?
  2. Contact your landlord early.
    • Let them know you are actively seeking assistance.
    • Ask whether they can accept a partial payment, waive late fees, or set up a temporary payment plan while you apply for help.
  3. Call 211, your AAA, or your local housing hotline.
    • Ask specifically about “emergency rent help,” “eviction prevention,” or “older adult housing services.”
    • Write down application deadlines and required documents.
  4. Talk with your health team.
    • If you are in the hospital or rehab, ask for a meeting with the social worker and discharge planner.
    • Let your primary care clinician know if housing costs are affecting your ability to take medicines, eat well, or attend appointments.
  5. Check eligibility for income and health programs.
    • Ask whether you may qualify for SSI, Medicaid, or a Medicare Savings Program that could reduce your out of pocket health costs and free up income for rent.
  6. Ask for help organizing tasks.
    • Consider involving a trusted family member, caregiver, or advocate to join phone calls, gather documents, and track applications.
    • Resources like Care Coordination and Appointments support can help you stay organized.
  7. Look after your health and safety.
    • Follow fall prevention advice from your clinical team to avoid new injuries that could further disrupt your housing.
    • Ask about home safety assessments or occupational therapy if you are worried about falls or mobility at home.

Talk with your care team and get coordinated support

Housing is a crucial part of your health. If you are worried about paying rent, facing eviction, or losing your housing because of a health event, it is important to bring this up with your clinicians and support team.

Consider:

  • Bringing a list of your monthly expenses, including rent, utilities, and medical costs, to your next visit.
  • Asking your clinician or care manager, “How can we make sure my housing is stable while we manage my health conditions?”
  • Requesting written summaries of your health needs that you can share with your landlord, legal aid attorney, or housing worker when needed.

A coordinated plan that includes your health care team, social workers, AAAs, and advocates can reduce the stress of navigating multiple systems on your own. If you want help organizing appointments, applications, and communication between your providers, you can explore Care Coordination, Appointments support, Application Help, and Social Support services from Understood Care.

This article is for education only and does not replace professional medical, legal, or financial advice. If you are in immediate danger of eviction or homelessness, contact local emergency services, a legal aid organization, or your community’s housing crisis line as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions about eviction prevention and emergency rent help

  • Can Medicare help pay my rent if I am a senior facing eviction?
    Original Medicare does not pay for rent or long term housing costs. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited housing related benefits as supplemental services, but they are usually short term and only when the plan can reasonably expect health benefits. You still need to rely on housing programs, emergency rental assistance, and community resources for most rent help.
  • What emergency rent help is available for older adults on fixed income?
    Depending on where you live, you may be able to apply for state or local emergency rental assistance, short term eviction prevention funds, housing vouchers, or charitable grants. Calling 211, your Area Agency on Aging, or your local housing authority is often the fastest way to learn which programs are open and whether they prioritize older adults.
  • How do medical bills and hospital stays lead to eviction risk?
    Hospital stays and serious illnesses can trigger deductibles, coinsurance, and new medications. Studies show that medical debt is linked with difficulty paying rent, higher rates of eviction, and other forms of financial hardship. If your income is fixed and a large portion already goes to health care, even one hospitalization can make it hard to keep up with housing costs.
  • Will having savings or a home disqualify me from rental assistance programs?
    It depends on the program. Some programs, such as SSI, Medicaid for long term services, and certain Medicare Savings Programs, have formal resource limits. Others, such as many emergency rental assistance funds or Housing Choice Vouchers, are mainly income based and apply only limited asset rules. It is always best to ask each program how they count income and assets before assuming you are ineligible.
  • What is “eviction prevention for older adults on fixed income”?
    Eviction prevention usually refers to services that help you stay in your current housing whenever it is safe and realistic. For older adults on fixed incomes, this can include emergency rent help, landlord mediation, legal assistance, home modifications, and connections to health and long term care services that support safe aging in place.
  • Who should I talk to at the hospital about eviction or homelessness concerns?
    Ask your nurse or doctor to connect you with a hospital social worker or case manager. They are trained to address housing instability, coordinate discharge planning, and link you to community programs such as emergency rent help, home health, or long term services. You can also ask your Medicare Advantage plan whether a care manager can join those conversations.
  • How can a Medicare Advantage case manager help with housing problems?
    A case manager from your Medicare Advantage plan can review your coverage, check for supplemental benefits related to housing or utilities, help you apply for Medicaid or Medicare Savings Programs, and coordinate with community agencies. They may also help document how housing instability is affecting your health, which can strengthen your applications for support.
  • What should I do if I receive an eviction notice while I am in the hospital or rehab?
    Tell your hospital social worker or rehab team immediately and show them any paperwork you received. They can help you contact the court, legal aid, your landlord, and local eviction prevention programs. If possible, involve a family member, caregiver, or advocate who can attend hearings or meetings on your behalf while you are recovering.
  • Where can caregivers find eviction prevention help for a parent on Medicare?
    Caregivers can start by calling 211, the parent’s Area Agency on Aging, or local senior services. It may also help to talk with the parent’s clinicians and any care coordinators from their health plan. Caregivers can ask about respite services, home care, and benefits counseling, and may benefit from support programs such as Social Support and Home Care through Understood Care.

References

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