Senior benefits in Clay 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 Clay County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Clay 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 Clay County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Clay County. Start here.
Elder Services in Clay 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) — Clay
CountyThe East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (EARPDC) runs the Area Agency on Aging for 10 counties in east Alabama, including Clay 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 Clay County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $280–$1,100 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Community Action Agency of Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Calhoun, and Cleburne Counties) — Clay
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Clay County, LIHEAP applications are taken by the Community Action Agency of Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Calhoun, and Cleburne Counties. 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 256-362-6611 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 Clay County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Clay County Hospital) — Clay
CountyClay County Hospital in Ashland has a financial assistance policy for patients who cannot pay their bills. If you do not have health coverage, call 256-354-1183 and ask for a patient account representative. They can give you an estimate of your bill, set up a payment plan, and tell you whether you may get financial assistance.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Clay County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Rural Public Transit (Clay County Transit, EARPDC) — Clay
CountyClay County's rural public transit gives demand-response rides anywhere in Clay County, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call ahead to schedule. Fares are a flat rate based on your destination. Call 256-396-5886.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Clay 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 Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Calhoun, and Cleburne Counties, Inc.
Clay County Hospital (Clay County Healthcare Authority)
Clay County rural transit (East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission)
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 Clay 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.