Senior benefits in Russell County, Alabama
4
Local programs
10
Alabama programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Lee-Russell Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging
1-334-749-5264
See which of these Russell County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Russell 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 Russell County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Russell County. Start here.
Elder Services in Russell County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Lee-Russell Council of Governments) — Russell
CountyThe Lee-Russell Council of Governments is the Area Agency on Aging for Lee and Russell counties, including Russell County. It helps adults 60 and older, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Services include senior centers (five in Lee County and four in Russell County) with hot meals, frozen home-delivered meals for people 60 and older, Medicaid Waiver in-home care, the nursing home ombudsman and legal help referrals, health screenings, SenioRx prescription help, Alabama Cares caregiver support, and SHIP Medicare counseling. Call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 334-749-5264.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Russell County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $280–$1,100 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Macon Russell Community Action Agency) — Russell
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Russell County, LIHEAP applications are taken by the Macon Russell Community Action Agency. 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 334-408-4066 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 Russell County
Hospital Financial Assistance (East Alabama Medical Center) — Russell
CountyRussell County's only hospital, Jack Hughston Memorial in Phenix City, is an orthopedic hospital and does not publish a financial assistance program. The nearest Alabama general hospital is East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) in Opelika, which has a financial assistance program for patients without health insurance or who cannot pay in full. Help can range from charity care to help paying medical bills, and you can also apply for an uninsured discount. Call 334-528-1275 to request an application.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Russell County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public Transit (Lee-Russell Public Transit and Phenix City Express) — Russell
CountyLee-Russell Public Transit (LRPT) gives free, curb-to-curb on-demand rides to the general public in Lee and Russell counties, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. No doctor's approval is needed. Call 334-749-9092 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at least one business day ahead. In Phenix City, the Phenix City Express (PEX) runs free fixed routes and ADA paratransit; call 877-743-3739 for PEX.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Russell 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.
Lee-Russell Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Lee-Russell Council of Governments)
Macon Russell Community Action Agency, Inc.
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Macon Russell Community Action Agency)
East Alabama Medical Center (East Alabama Health)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (East Alabama Medical Center)
Lee-Russell Public Transit and Phenix City Express (Lee-Russell Council of Governments)
Runs: Public Transit (Lee-Russell Public Transit and Phenix City Express)
Alabama and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Russell 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.