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'Free Money' for Seniors: Grants, Rebates and Stimulus Claims That Are Scams

Calls, texts and ads promising thousands of dollars in free government money are almost always scams. Here are the real programs, the fake ones, and how to tell the difference.

Medicare5 min readReviewed 2026-10-16
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Short answer

No government program gives thousands of dollars to people who call a number or answer a text, and real programs never ask you to pay a fee or buy a gift card to receive money. The real help for people with Medicare is specific and has rules: Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid. You apply to Social Security or your state, you never pay to apply, and nobody needs your bank details to tell you whether you qualify.

Use this before you call.

Not sure if an offer is real? Call GetFastRates.com and a licensed agent will tell you what to check, with no pressure.

Hang up or delete the message, and do not click any link in it.

Never send money, a gift card or a payment app transfer to get money.

Never share a bank account, Medicare number or Social Security number with someone who contacted you first.

Look up the real program yourself: Social Security for Extra Help, your state for Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs.

Report it to the Federal Trade Commission and, if Medicare was mentioned, to 1-800-MEDICARE.

Tell someone you trust, because these scams work best on people who keep them a secret.

The versions you will see

The promise changes with the news, but the pattern stays the same: you will receive money if you act now and give something first.

  • A 'government grant' or 'senior stimulus' that needs a fee to release
  • A 'Medicare refund' or 'rebate' that needs your account number to deposit
  • A prize, gift card or prepaid card in exchange for 'confirming' your Medicare number
  • A food or benefit card 'you qualify for' that needs your Medicare number to activate
  • A caller who says they are from Social Security or Medicare and says you must pay to keep your benefits

Real help, and how it really works

The real programs are narrower than the ads and they are free to apply for.

  • Extra Help lowers drug plan costs for people with limited income and resources. You apply through Social Security, or you may get it automatically with Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program.
  • Medicare Savings Programs help pay Medicare premiums and sometimes copayments. You apply through your state.
  • Medicaid helps cover care for people with limited income and resources, and the rules differ by state.

The giveaways that give it away

These are the signs that a money offer is a scam.

  • You are asked to pay first, with a gift card, a wire, a payment app or cryptocurrency.
  • You are told to keep it secret or not to tell your family or bank.
  • You did not apply for anything.
  • You have to act today.
  • They want your Medicare number, Social Security number or bank details to 'verify' you.

Common questions about this topic

Does Medicare send refunds or rebate cards?

Not by calling you for your account details. If you are owed money, it comes through your Medicare plan or Social Security in a way you can check yourself. Call 1-800-MEDICARE if you are unsure.

What if I already paid or shared my details?

Act quickly: call your bank or card company, then call 1-800-MEDICARE and report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Our guide on what to do after giving a number away has the steps.

Who can I ask if an offer is real?

Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, your local Senior Medicare Patrol, 1-800-MEDICARE, or a licensed agent you contacted yourself.

Related coverage articles

Food Cards, Grocery Cards and 'Free Money' Medicare Ads: What Is Real and What Is BaitSome Medicare Advantage plans do include an allowance for groceries or over-the-counter items, but most TV ads and calls about 'free food cards' and 'thousands in free money' are bait. Here is how to tell.Medicare Scams to Watch For: Calls, Texts, Mail and AdsThe most common Medicare scams, the red flags that show up every time, what real Medicare and real plans do, and where to report. Read this before you answer the next call.I Gave My Medicare Number to a Scammer: What to Do NowIf you shared your Medicare number, Social Security number or bank details with someone you should not have, here is what to do in the first hour, the first week, and over the next months.Do I Qualify for Extra Medicare Benefits? The Programs That Can Really Lower Your CostsExtra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, special plans and the extras some Medicare Advantage plans include: who each is for, who decides, and where to ask. Start with the ones that do not depend on a commercial.

Tools that can help

Medicare Enrollment Period CalculatorFind your Medicare enrollment window and what it means for your timing.Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalty CalculatorEstimate whether a Part B late enrollment penalty could apply to you.Medicare Plan Ending FinderCheck your carrier and ZIP code against current, verified plan-ending records.

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