Senior benefits in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
4
Local programs
10
Alabama programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Area Agency on Aging of West Alabama (West Alabama Regional Commission)
1-205-333-2990
See which of these Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Tuscaloosa County. Start here.
Elder Services in Tuscaloosa County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Area Agency on Aging of West Alabama (West Alabama Regional Commission)) — Tuscaloosa
CountyThe West Alabama Regional Commission runs the Area Agency on Aging for Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties, including Tuscaloosa County. Help starts with its Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Depending on need, older adults can get advice on health insurance, legal counseling, home-delivered meals, help with household chores, discounted prescription medicines, and other services. Other programs include caregiver assistance, Medicare counseling, senior activity centers, and the long-term care ombudsman. Call 205-333-2990 or 1-800-AGELINE.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Tuscaloosa County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $280–$1,100 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Community Service Programs of West Alabama) — Tuscaloosa
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Tuscaloosa County, LIHEAP applications are taken by Community Service Programs of West Alabama, the Community Action Agency the state lists for the county. The state agency, ADECA, does not take applications. Applicants 60 and older can call the agency's senior line at 205-469-0386; others can use the call center at 833-836-7817. Older adults and people with disabilities are among the priority groups. Help depends on available funds.
Estimated bill savings: $280–$1,100 a year
Healthcare in Tuscaloosa County
Hospital Financial Assistance (DCH Regional Medical Center) — Tuscaloosa
CountyDCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa is the county's main hospital. Under DCH Health System's policy, patients with income below 250% of the federal poverty level can get a charity discount of 100% of the amount owed. Uninsured patients can get a 50% reduction of gross charges for emergency and medically necessary care. Call the hospital financial assistance representative at 205-750-5004.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Tuscaloosa County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Senior and paratransit rides (FOCUS on Senior Citizens and Tuscaloosa Transit Authority) — Tuscaloosa
CountyFOCUS on Senior Citizens of Tuscaloosa County gives door-to-door rides to residents 60 and older for medical and social service appointments, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The requested donation is $5.00 round trip, and a caregiver rides free. There is no application; call 205-758-3393 to schedule. For people with disabilities who live in the City of Tuscaloosa, the Tuscaloosa Transit Authority runs demand-response vans for $2.00 per boarding after an application; call 205-343-2300.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Tuscaloosa 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.
Area Agency on Aging of West Alabama (West Alabama Regional Commission)
DCH Regional Medical Center (DCH Health System)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (DCH Regional Medical Center)
FOCUS on Senior Citizens of Tuscaloosa County; Tuscaloosa Transit Authority
Runs: Senior and paratransit rides (FOCUS on Senior Citizens and Tuscaloosa Transit Authority)
Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc.
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Community Service Programs of West Alabama)
Alabama and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Tuscaloosa 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.