How do you apply when one has not worked in many years?

Just fill out the application. When you get to the section where it says to list the jobs you've had - just put down whatever employers you've had in the past. If you don't remember the dates just estimate. You can put any dates. They don't have to be accurate - like 6/12/72 to 10/08/74 - doesn't matter. They don't check dates. They just want to see if you've been a waitress, secretary, cab driver or whatever. It shows that you know how to do whatever job.