RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:
And financial-aid applications can be filled out online by students and their families. For older Americans, the government offers online applications for Social Security benefits.
And for the last few years, actress Patty Duke has been urging seniors to log on.
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MONTAGNE: It's been nearly 50 years since Patty Duke won an Oscar for her role as Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker." Yesterday, she turned 65 years old and had a chance to take the advice she's been giving to others in ads like that Watusi video.
In the latest video from the Social Security Administration, she's shown applying for her benefits on a laptop computer in red, flannel pajamas.
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MONTAGNE: So Patty Duke describes the application process as emotional and triumphant. She also jokes she was finally able to correctly say Social Security, after having her teeth fixed. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.