Senior benefits in La Paz County, Arizona

Older adults age 60 and older, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers in La Paz County are served by the Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) Area Agency on Aging, Region IV. The agency is a single point of contact that connects people to home-delivered and congregate meals, in-home attendant care, family-caregiver support and respite, the long-term-care ombudsman, help with Medicare and AHCCCS enrollment, and transportation help. The Family, Aging & Disability Resource Center handles intake. Call the helpline at 1-800-782-1886 to be connected to services. Because of funding limits, some new services in Mohave and Yuma Counties may have a wait list.

Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households in La Paz County pay heating and cooling bills, and can help with a past-due balance or a shutoff. In this region the program is delivered by the Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) Community Services department, the local Community Action Agency, under the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). Apply through WACOG. The amount of help depends on household income, size, and energy costs.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,500 a year

La Paz Regional Hospital in Parker is the local nonprofit Critical Access Hospital serving La Paz County. As a nonprofit hospital it runs a Financial Assistance Program that waives or discounts bills for patients who cannot afford them, based on household income and family size. Free help completing an application is available, and hospitals must consider charity-care applications for months after the first bill. Ask the hospital's financial-assistance or billing office for the policy and application.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$15,000 a year

In this county: Financial assistance is income-based and set by the hospital's review of household income and family size, so this shows as a may-qualify result. The published page does not state a fixed poverty-level cutoff here; apply through the hospital's financial-assistance office.

La Paz County runs the River Route transit service Monday through Thursday: Salome and Wenden to Parker on Tuesdays, Brenda and Bouse to Parker on Thursdays, plus a Parker town route Monday through Thursday, 7:30am to 4:00pm. Priority is given to seniors age 60 and older, people with disabilities, and caregivers; others may ride as space allows. Donations are appreciated — $3.00 local, $5.00 outlying. Runs over 15 miles need at least 4 riders, so schedules change; call 928-669-1100 for the current schedule.

Estimated service value: $200–$1,500 a year

In this county: River Route and related county rides give priority to seniors 60 and older, people with disabilities, and caregivers; service days and areas are limited (River Route runs Monday–Thursday). Call 928-669-1100 or the Parker Senior Center to schedule.