Senior benefits in DeKalb County, Alabama
4
Local programs
10
Alabama programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) Area Agency on Aging
1-256-830-0818
See which of these DeKalb County programs you may qualify for.
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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 DeKalb County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving DeKalb County. Start here.
Elder Services in DeKalb County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG)) — DeKalb
CountyThe Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) runs the Area Agency on Aging for DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties, including DeKalb County. It plans and funds services that help people over 60 stay independent. Services include information and referral, caregiver support, legal help, the long-term care ombudsman, senior centers, nutrition and home-delivered meals, transportation, case management, and homemaker and personal care. Call 256-830-0818 for senior or disability services, or to make a referral.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in DeKalb 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) — DeKalb
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home energy bills. In DeKalb County, LIHEAP applications are taken by the Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama. Household income for the previous month must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Make an appointment on the agency's website or call 256-638-4430. The DeKalb County office is at 1481 McCurdy Ave S, Rainsville. Help depends on available funds.
Estimated bill savings: $280–$1,100 a year
Healthcare in DeKalb County
Hospital Financial Assistance (DeKalb Regional Medical Center (HH Health)) — DeKalb
CountyDeKalb Regional Medical Center in Fort Payne, part of Huntsville Hospital Health System (HH Health), offers financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured patients for emergency and medically necessary hospital care. Under the system policy, patients with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level can get this care free, and patients below 400% can get discounts. Eligibility is based on household income, assets, and the federal poverty guidelines. Assistance covers hospital charges only, not separate doctor bills. Call a financial counselor at 256-997-2133 for help applying.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in DeKalb County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Rural public transportation (DeKalb County Rural Public Transportation) — DeKalb
CountyDeKalb County Rural Public Transportation gives rides to the general public, with wheelchair-accessible service. It runs daily scheduled trips for seniors to seven nutrition centers, plus trips for shopping, medical and pharmacy visits, paying bills, and outings, and also offers demand-response trips. Call 256-845-8593 to ask about a ride.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving DeKalb 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.
Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG))
Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama, Inc. (CAANEAL)
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama)
DeKalb Regional Medical Center (Huntsville Hospital Health System)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (DeKalb Regional Medical Center (HH Health))
DeKalb County Rural Public Transportation (DeKalb County Commission)
Runs: Rural public transportation (DeKalb County Rural Public Transportation)
Alabama and federal programs
Open to eligible households in DeKalb 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.