Senior benefits in Gila County, Arizona

Central Arizona Aging, the designated Area Agency on Aging for Pinal and Gila counties, serves adults age 60 and older and adults age 18+ with disabilities who live in Gila County. Services include congregate and home-delivered meals, in-home care (housekeeping, personal care, respite), case management, transportation help, benefits and Medicare counseling, legal aid, family caregiver support, and the long-term care ombudsman. Senior centers serve Globe, Miami, Payson, and surrounding Gila County communities. Most services are free or offered on a suggested-donation basis. Call 1-800-293-9393 or contact the agency in Casa Grande to be connected to services.

Estimated service value: about $0 a year

LIHEAP helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills and handle utility emergencies. In Gila County it is delivered by the Gila County Community Action Program under the Arizona Department of Economic Security. The program covers eviction prevention, utility deposits, utility assistance, and the Arizona Public Service and Southwest Gas discount programs for households that meet federal poverty income guidelines. Bring a prescreening packet to a CAP office Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 4:00pm; allow 15 to 20 minutes for review. Call the Globe office at 1-928-425-7631 or the Payson office at 1-928-474-7192.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: LIHEAP is income-based (federal poverty guidelines). Crisis assistance is capped per year and funds are limited. The Community Action Program makes the final decision.

Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center in Globe offers a Patient Financial Assistance Policy with charity care and discounts for patients who cannot afford their hospital bills. As a nonprofit hospital it must consider a financial assistance application even after billing has begun. Patient account staff help with the application and payment plans. Call 1-928-402-1103 to request the financial assistance application and current income guidelines.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Financial assistance is income-based; the specific poverty-level thresholds are set in the hospital's policy. Applications are accepted for a period after the first bill. The hospital makes the final decision.

Copper Mountain Transit, run by the Town of Miami, provides demand-response, curb-to-curb dial-a-ride service across Globe, Miami, and a large unincorporated area of Gila County, mostly for low-income riders, students, and older adults and people with disabilities. Dial-a-ride fares are $1 per zone (four zones), with a $55 Dial-a-Ride pass; seniors and people with disabilities pay a reduced $0.50 fare on fixed routes. Gila County senior centers also provide van rides through the Region V Area Agency on Aging. Call 1-928-473-8222 to schedule a ride or ask about service hours and coverage.

Estimated service value: about $0 a year

In this county: Dial-a-ride is a shared, demand-response service within its coverage area; a flat fare applies regardless of age. Book ahead and confirm service hours.