Senior benefits in Houston County, Alabama
4
Local programs
10
Alabama programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA)
1-334-793-6843
See which of these Houston County programs you may qualify for.
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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 Houston County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Houston County. Start here.
Elder Services in Houston County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA)) — Houston
CountyThe Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA) is the Area Agency on Aging for Houston County and six other counties in southeast Alabama. It is also the area's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), a one-stop place for older adults, people with disabilities, family caregivers and veterans to learn about long-term support options. SARCOA runs senior centers, home delivered meals, Alabama Cares caregiver help, Medicare and insurance counseling, legal help and elder rights programs. Most services start at age 60. Call 334-793-6843 to get started.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Houston County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $280–$1,100 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership) — Houston
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Houston County, LIHEAP is handled by the Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership, based at 100 George Wallace Drive in Enterprise. Household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Call the agency's call center at 844-680-2044 (main office 334-347-0881) to apply or check on an application. ADECA does not take applications.
Estimated bill savings: $280–$1,100 a year
Healthcare in Houston County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Southeast Health Medical Center) — Houston
CountySoutheast Health in Dothan offers financial assistance to patients who have no health insurance and cannot pay their bill. Help comes as discounts based on income, assets and need. Patients must first apply for any state assistance they may qualify for, such as Medicaid. Call Patient Financial Services at 334-712-3713, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, for an application or help.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Houston County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Wiregrass Transit Authority) — Houston
CountyWiregrass Transit Authority, run by the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, gives door-to-door Dial-a-Ride trips in Dothan and Houston County for errands, medical visits and work. All vehicles are wheelchair accessible. One-way fares are $3 inside Dothan, $6 from places such as Webb, Ashford and Cottonwood, and $10 from places such as Gordon and Columbia. Call 334-836-5555 between 8 am and 2 pm, one business day to two weeks ahead.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Houston 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.
Southeast Health Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Southeast Health Medical Center)
Wiregrass Transit Authority (SEARP&DC)
Runs: Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Wiregrass Transit Authority)
Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA))
Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership)
Alabama and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Houston 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.