Senior benefits in Yuma County, Arizona

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

Yuma Regional Medical Center, now operating as Onvida Health, is the main hospital serving Yuma County. As a 501(r) nonprofit hospital it offers a written Financial Assistance Policy that gives free or discounted care to uninsured and underinsured patients who qualify based on household income and family size. No patient who qualifies for financial assistance is charged more than the amounts generally billed to insured patients. A self-pay discount is also available to uninsured patients who do not qualify for full assistance. Ask Patient Financial Services for the policy and application.

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

In this county: Financial assistance is income-based and set by each hospital's review of household income and family size, so this shows as a may-qualify result. The published policy does not state a fixed poverty-level cutoff here; apply through Patient Financial Services at 928-336-7030.

Yuma County Area Transit (YCAT) runs fixed-route buses across the Yuma area. Riders age 65 and older, people with a qualifying disability, and Medicare card holders qualify for a reduced fare with a YCAT Discount ID Card (or by showing a state ID, passport, or another agency's senior card for proof of age). For riders who cannot use the fixed-route bus because of a disability, YCAT OnCall provides door-to-door demand-response service near YCAT routes. Ask at the YCAT Bus Facility for a Discount ID Card application.

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

In this county: The reduced fare and YCAT OnCall demand-response service are for riders 65 and older, Medicare holders, and people with a qualifying disability. A YCAT Discount ID Card (about $3, valid up to three years) or proof of age is required at the time of payment.