Senior benefits in Cherokee County, Alabama
4
Local programs
10
Alabama programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (EARPDC) Area Agency on Aging
1-256-237-6741
See which of these Cherokee County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Cherokee County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Cherokee County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Cherokee County. Start here.
Elder Services in Cherokee County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission) — Cherokee
CountyThe East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (EARPDC) runs the Area Agency on Aging for 10 counties in east Alabama, including Cherokee County. Its Aging and Disability Resource Center helps adults 60 and older, people with disabilities, and family caregivers find services. Programs include senior centers and meals, Alabama Cares caregiver support, Medicaid Waiver in-home help, SHIP Medicare counseling, SenioRx prescription help, legal help for older adults, the long-term care ombudsman, and senior jobs. Call 256-237-6741 or 1-800-239-6741, or the Alabama Ageline at 1-800-243-5463.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Cherokee County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $280–$1,100 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama) — Cherokee
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Cherokee County, LIHEAP applications are taken by the Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama. Household income must not be more than 150% of the federal poverty level, and the program targets older adults, people with disabilities, and young children. Call 855-287-1730 to ask how to apply or to check on an application. ADECA, the state office, does not take applications. Help depends on available funds.
Estimated bill savings: $280–$1,100 a year
Healthcare in Cherokee County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center) — Cherokee
CountyAtrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre is part of Atrium Health. Its financial assistance program is for Alabama residents (and residents of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia) who show financial need. Patients with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines get 100% financial assistance, and those between 301% and 400% get partial help. Uninsured patients get a 50% discount automatically, and interest-free payment plans are available. Call Patient Customer Service at 844-440-6536.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Cherokee County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Rural Public Transit (Cherokee County Rural Transit, EARPDC) — Cherokee
CountyCherokee County Rural Transit gives demand-response rides to residents of Cherokee County, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call ahead to schedule a pickup. Senior citizens and people with disabilities pay $1 for the first five miles and 50 cents for each additional five miles. Call 256-927-7472.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Cherokee County
Who runs the county programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.
Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama, Inc.
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama)
Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center)
Cherokee County Rural Transit (East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission)
Runs: Rural Public Transit (Cherokee County Rural Transit, EARPDC)
East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (EARPDC) Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission)
Alabama and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Cherokee County and across the rest of Alabama. Full details are on the Alabama benefits page.
Elder Services
- Free legal help for adults 60+ (Legal Assistance Program)State$0–$2,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Alabama SHIP — free Medicare and insurance counselingState$100–$2,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- LIHEAP energy assistance (Alabama)State$280–$1,100/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP food assistance (Alabama Food Assistance Program)State$300–$3,576/yrCashOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Alabama Medicaid for people 65+, blind, or disabled (SSI and SSI-related)State$2,000–$15,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- SenioRx — free or low-cost prescription drugsState$0–$5,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Elderly and Disabled (E&D) Medicaid Waiver — care at home instead of a nursing homeState$5,000–$25,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI-1)State$2,100–$5,200/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federal$0–$1,125/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Homestead exemption for homeowners 65+, disabled, or blind (property tax)State$50–$1,500/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Alabama income tax: retirement income exclusion for age 65+ (and exempt Social Security and pensions)State$0–$300/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrCashOfficial source →
Nearby counties
County programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.