National Council on Aging¶
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a national leader in helping older adults and their caregivers navigate benefits, improve health, and achieve economic security. NCOA's flagship tool, BenefitsCheckUp at ncoa.org, is a free online screening tool that matches individuals with over 2,500 federal, state, and local benefit programs — including programs for prescription drugs, food assistance, utility bills, healthcare, housing, and tax relief.
BenefitsCheckUp is directly relevant to GiveCare's benefits discovery work. Many caregivers and their care recipients are eligible for programs they do not know about or believe they cannot access. NCOA's research shows that millions of older adults miss out on billions of dollars in available benefits each year1. By answering a short questionnaire on the BenefitsCheckUp site, caregivers can identify programs their loved one — and sometimes they themselves — may qualify for.
Beyond benefits screening, NCOA runs programs addressing the practical challenges of aging. Their evidence-based falls prevention programs (including A Matter of Balance and Tai Chi for Arthritis) operate through senior centers and community organizations nationwide. They provide resources for Medicare enrollment and plan comparison, Medicaid navigation, and supplemental insurance decision-making. Their economic security work includes assistance with tax preparation (through VITA partnerships), housing counseling, and employment programs for older adults.
NCOA does not operate a phone helpline for individual caregivers. Access is primarily through the website at ncoa.org, which houses BenefitsCheckUp, program directories, and educational resources. For caregivers who need help using the online tools, NCOA maintains a network of community-based partners (senior centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and other local organizations) that can provide in-person assistance.
NCOA addresses zone P2 (Physical Health) through falls prevention programs and healthy aging resources, and zone P4 (Financial Resources) through BenefitsCheckUp and economic security programs2. For caregivers managing aging-related conditions, NCOA provides the broadest benefits screening tool available nationally.