Benefits · Elder Services
How to apply for Emerald Coast Council on Aging — In-Home Services + Case Management + Respite (Walton County)
Emerald Coast Council on Aging, Inc. (ECCOA) — 501(c)(3) nonprofit established 1967; main office at 1154 Baldwin Avenue, DeFuniak Springs FL 32435; operates in-home senior support, case management, respite care, and senior volunteer programs alongside Meals on Wheels and senior dining
Who it's for
Beyond Meals on Wheels, ECCOA operates a substantial in-home services portfolio for Walton County seniors — reported 45,000 hours of in-home assistance from 2022-2024 covering: (1) Homemaking — light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation support, and shopping assistance for seniors with limited ability to maintain their home. (2) Companionship — non-medical visits for socially-isolated seniors, including conversation, reading, and light social engagement. (3) Respite Care — relief for family caregivers, both in-home and through congregate placement at ECCOA Senior Centers. (4) Transportation Assistance — coordinated with TCCC Walton Transportation and other community options for medical and essential trips. (5) Shopping Assistance — escort or proxy shopping for seniors who cannot navigate stores independently. (6) Case Management — ECCOA care coordinators assemble integrated care plans across nutrition, mobility, and in-home support. ECCOA's services are funded through a mix of Florida Community Care for the Elderly (CCE), Home Care for the Elderly (HCE), Alzheimer's Disease Initiative (ADI), and private-pay. Eligibility is age 60+ and Walton County residency; specific service intake requires a case manager assessment. Apply by calling ECCOA at 850-892-8165.
ECCOA's in-home services are sponsorship-funded — sliding-scale fees apply based on income and sponsorship source (CCE, HCE, ADI, private-pay). The 45,000 hours of in-home assistance reported 2022-2024 reflects a substantial county-wide footprint of supports for vulnerable seniors. Homemaking and companionship services have a lower bar than personal care (bathing, grooming) — easier to access without a heavy medical-needs assessment. Respite care is genuinely valuable for family caregivers managing complex dementia or post-stroke care; both in-home respite (caregiver leaves, ECCOA staff stays with senior) and congregate respite (senior attends ECCOA Senior Center activities during caregiver workday) are available. Sponsorship-funded slots typically have 1-3 month waitlists; private-pay is faster but at full cost. The integrated nature of ECCOA — single intake call coordinates meals + in-home + congregate + case management — is genuinely streamlined compared to peer counties where these services are siloed across multiple agencies.
What you'll need
- Proof of age 60+ (Florida driver's license, Florida ID, or birth certificate)
- Proof of Walton County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
- For Homemaking / In-Home Personal Care: ECCOA case manager assessment of activities-of-daily-living limitations
- For Respite Care: documentation of caregiver burden + senior care needs
- For Companionship: documentation of social isolation or limited family support
- For sponsorship determination (CCE/HCE/ADI): income documentation; private-pay does not require income docs
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 850-892-8165
Renewals
annual reassessment by ECCOA case manager; rolling enrollment for in-home services
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.