Senior benefits in Mohave County, Arizona

Older adults age 60 and older, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers in Mohave 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 Mohave 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

Kingman Regional Medical Center (KRMC) is the main hospital serving Mohave County and offers a Financial Assistance Program for uninsured and underinsured residents who need emergency care, hospitalization, or other medically necessary treatment. No one is denied care because of an inability to pay. A discounted, sliding-fee schedule is set by family size and income. Under the hospital's financial-assistance summary, uninsured or underinsured patients with family income up to 150% of the federal poverty level may get a 100% discount, and income between 150% and 350% of the poverty level may qualify for discounted care. Call KRMC Patient Financial Services at 928-263-3534 with questions. Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City are also served by Havasu Regional and Valley View Medical Center; ask any hospital's billing office for its policy.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$20,000 a year

In this county: Financial assistance is income-based on a sliding scale by family size and income; KRMC's published summary sets free care at family income up to 150% of the federal poverty level and discounted care (reduced to the amount generally billed) at 150% to 350%, but the full policy controls and each hospital's policy differs. This shows as a may-qualify result; apply through KRMC financial services.

Public transit in Mohave County runs in the three main population centers. Kingman Area Regional Transit (KART), operated by the City of Kingman, provides curb-to-curb service; riders age 60 and older and people with disabilities pay a reduced curb-to-curb fare of $3 each way (instead of $6) and can buy a $45 monthly pass (instead of $55) when they show the required documentation (photo ID for age 60+, or a health-care professional's certification for disability). Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City run their own local transit as well. Call KART at 928-681-7433 to schedule a ride or ask about senior and disability fares.

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

In this county: The reduced KART fare and discounted monthly pass are for riders 60 and older and people with disabilities, with required documentation. Service areas differ by city (Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City); call 928-681-7433 for KART or the local city transit office.