What AARP funds pay for

AARP does not run a single fund that sends you money. Instead, AARP publishes information about programs that exist — Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, property tax relief, and others — and connects you to the organizations that actually administer them. AARP also runs its own limited programs: grants for people over 50 facing hardship, discounts on services like travel and insurance, and educational workshops on money management.

The confusion usually starts here: AARP membership itself costs money (about $16 a year), but the information AARP provides about government programs is free. The programs themselves — Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid — are also free or low-cost, but they come from the federal government or your state, not from AARP.

If you are looking for direct cash from AARP, the main avenue is the AARP Foundation's Emergency information Fund, which makes small grants to people 50 and older who are facing when ready hardship — usually eviction, utility shutoff, or food insecurity. The grants are typically $500 to $1,000 and are awarded through local nonprofits that partner with AARP, not directly from AARP itself.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP's Emergency information Fund makes grants of $500 to $1,000 to people 50 and older facing eviction, utility shutoff, or hunger, but you must go through a local nonprofit partner to request one.
  • AARP membership costs money, but AARP's information about government programs like Social Security and Medicare is free whether you join or not.
  • AARP discounts on insurance, travel, and services are available only to members, and the savings vary widely depending on what you buy.
  • AARP's tax preparation service (Tax-Aide) is free to people with low to moderate income, regardless of AARP membership.
  • To find out whether a program you need is real or just advertised by AARP, check the official government website for that program directly.

The AARP Foundation Emergency information Fund

The AARP Foundation Emergency information Fund is the closest thing to direct money from AARP. It provides one-time grants to people 50 and older who are in when ready danger of losing housing, utilities, or food access. The grants range from $500 to $1,000 and are meant to bridge a gap, not to solve a long-term problem.

You do not contact AARP directly to request a grant. Instead, you work through a local nonprofit — usually a community action agency, food bank, or housing organization — that has partnered with the AARP Foundation. That nonprofit assesses your situation, verifies your income and the emergency, and submits the request on your behalf. The nonprofit also decides whether to recommend you, so the relationship with them matters.

To find a partner organization near you, call 211 (a national helpline that connects you to local services) or visit aarpfoundation.org and look for the Emergency information Fund section. Have your zip code ready. Not every area has an active partner, and some partners have limited funds, so availability varies by location and season.

AARP membership benefits and what they cost

AARP membership costs about $16 per year for the first year and $24 per year after that. What you get in return is access to discounts on insurance (auto, home, health), travel (hotels, rental cars, cruises), and services (hearing aids, legal services, tax preparation). You also receive AARP Magazine and access to AARP's website content.

The value of these discounts depends entirely on what you actually use. If you never rent a car or book a hotel, the travel discounts are worthless to you. If you shop for auto insurance anyway, the AARP-partnered insurers may or may not be cheaper than what you find on your own — you have to compare. AARP does not publish the average savings, and the discounts are not standardized across all vendors.

AARP's information about government programs — Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, property tax relief — is available free on AARP's website whether you pay for membership or not. The membership fee is for the discounts and the magazine, not for access to that information.

AARP Tax-Aide: free tax preparation

AARP Tax-Aide is a free tax preparation service for people with low to moderate income. You do not have to be an AARP member to use it. Trained volunteers prepare your federal and state returns at no cost, and the service is available during tax season (usually February through April) at libraries, senior centers, and community centers across the country.

To find a Tax-Aide site near you, visit aarp.org/taxaide or call 1-888-227-7669. You will need to bring your Social Security number, photo ID, and documents related to your income (W-2s, 1099s, bank statements showing interest). The volunteers are not tax professionals — they are trained specifically for straightforward returns — so if your situation is complex (self-employment income, rental property, significant investments), you may need a paid tax professional instead.

How to tell if a program is real or just advertised by AARP

AARP publishes information about programs run by the federal government, your state, and local organizations. AARP does not run most of these programs. If you see AARP advertising a program — say, a property tax relief program or a utility information program — the program itself is real, but AARP is just pointing you toward it. The actual program is run by your state or county.

To verify that a program is real and to get the most current information, go directly to the official government website. For Social Security, visit ssa.gov. For Medicare, visit medicare.gov. For Medicaid, visit your state health department's website. For property tax relief, search "[your state] property tax relief" or contact your county assessor's office.

AARP's role is to explain these programs in plain language and to help you find the right one for your situation. AARP does not determine whether you are may be able to access, does not process your request, and does not send you the money. The government agency or your state does that.

AARP's money management and financial planning resources

AARP publishes free guides and articles on budgeting, managing debt, planning for long-term care, and protecting yourself from financial scams. These are educational resources, not financial information, and they do not replace talking to a financial advisor or attorney about your specific situation.

AARP also offers a limited number of scholarships and grants for people pursuing education or training, but these are competitive and have specific may be able to access rules. Information about current scholarships is available on AARP's website.

If you are looking for money to pay for education, housing, or other major expenses, AARP's resources can help you understand what government programs exist and how to contact them. But AARP itself is not a lender or a grant-maker for most purposes.

Scams that use AARP's name

Scammers often impersonate AARP or claim to represent AARP to trick people into sending money or sharing personal information. Real AARP will never call you unsolicited to sell you something, ask for your Social Security number over the phone, or demand payment upfront for a benefit or discount.

If someone calls claiming to be from AARP and asks for money or personal information, hang up and call AARP directly at 1-888-687-2277 to report it. If you receive an email claiming to be from AARP, do not click any links — instead, go directly to aarp.org in your browser and log in from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get money directly from AARP?

Only through the AARP Foundation Emergency information Fund, which provides grants of $500 to $1,000 for when ready hardship like eviction or utility shutoff. You request it through a local nonprofit partner, not directly from AARP. Most other AARP benefits are discounts on services, not cash.

Do I have to be an AARP member to learn about government programs?

No. AARP's information about Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other government programs is free on its website whether you pay for membership or not. Membership gives you access to discounts and the magazine, not to the program information.

Is AARP affiliated with the government?

No. AARP is a nonprofit organization that publishes information about government programs and advocates for older adults' interests. AARP does not run Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid. Those programs are run by the federal government or your state.

How do I know if an AARP discount is actually a good deal?

Compare the AARP-partnered price to what you find on your own. AARP publishes the discounts available, but the actual savings depend on the vendor and the specific product. For insurance, get quotes from multiple companies before deciding.

What should I do if someone calls claiming to be from AARP and asking for money?

Hang up when ready. Real AARP does not call unsolicited to sell products or ask for personal information. Report the call to AARP at 1-888-687-2277 and to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.