Senior benefits in Maricopa County, Arizona

The Area Agency on Aging, Region One is the federally designated agency that plans and funds Older Americans Act services for Maricopa County adults age 60 and older, their family caregivers, and adults with disabilities. Covered communities include Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Chandler, and the large retirement communities of Sun City and Sun City West. Services include case management, home-delivered and congregate meals, homemaking and personal care, family caregiver support and respite, and free Medicare and benefits counseling. Reach the 24-hour Senior HELP LINE at 602-264-4357 or the main line at 1-888-783-7500 to start.

Estimated service value: $1,200–$6,000 a year

In this county: Specific services (in-home care, respite, home-delivered meals) require a case manager assessment and may have waitlists given the size of the Maricopa County senior population. Medicare counseling and information/referral are open to all eligible callers.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps Maricopa County households with limited income pay electric and gas bills, with extra crisis help to prevent shutoffs during Arizona's dangerous summer heat. Outside the cities of Glendale, Mesa, and Phoenix, the county's Human Services Department delivers LIHEAP through Community Action Program (CAP) offices; residents of those three cities apply through their city program. Apply online through the Human Services client portal or through a local Community Action office; 2-1-1 Arizona can route callers to the nearest site. LIHEAP service line: 1-866-494-1981.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,140 a year

In this county: LIHEAP is income-based. Households receiving SNAP, TANF, or SSI are automatically income eligible. Residents of Glendale, Mesa, and Phoenix apply through their city program rather than the county Community Action office. Benefit amounts and crisis assistance depend on household need and available funds.

Valleywise Health is the public safety-net hospital system for Maricopa County, run by the county Special Health Care District. Its financial assistance program lowers or eliminates hospital bills for uninsured and low-income patients based on household size and income relative to the Federal Poverty Level, with a sliding discount for higher incomes. Patients in the Phoenix metro also have financial-assistance options at Banner Health (bannerhealth.com), HonorHealth (honorhealth.com), and Dignity Health / CommonSpirit St. Joseph's (dignityhealth.org); Valleywise is highlighted here as the county's safety-net provider. Call Eligibility Specialists at 602-344-2550 to apply.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Financial assistance is income-based and set against the Federal Poverty Level under Valleywise Health's published Financial Assistance Policy; the lowest-income Maricopa County residents can receive free care and higher incomes receive a sliding-scale discount. Confirm the current income thresholds and covered services with the Eligibility Specialists. Other Phoenix-metro systems have their own separate financial-assistance programs.

Valley Metro operates buses and light rail across the Phoenix metro area and offers a Reduced Fare program for riders age 65 and older, Medicare cardholders, and people with disabilities — roughly half of the standard fare with a Reduced Fare ID card. Riders who cannot use fixed-route service due to a disability can use city Dial-a-Ride ADA paratransit and the RideChoice program, which books trips through taxis and rideshare partners. Serves Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Chandler, and surrounding cities. Call 602-716-2100 for paratransit or apply for a Reduced Fare ID card online.

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

In this county: The Reduced Fare discount is available to riders 65 and older, Medicare cardholders, and certified riders with disabilities. Dial-a-Ride ADA paratransit and RideChoice require separate ADA paratransit certification and are limited to riders who cannot use fixed-route bus or rail. City Dial-a-Ride service areas and hours vary by city.