Senior benefits in Garland County, Arkansas

The Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas serves Garland County from its Hot Springs office at 905 W. Grand. Its services include case management, Medicare counseling, in-home care, family caregiver support, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Senior Companion Program, senior centers, transportation, Meals on Wheels, information and assistance, and veteran assistance. Senior centers are free for people 60 and older (some ask for a donation) and serve a hot lunch; home-delivered meals are available for people who cannot leave home. Senior centers in Garland County: Hot Springs Senior Activity Center, 219 Gulpha St, Hot Springs, 501-463-2850; McAuley Senior Center, 5010 N. Hwy 7, Hot Springs Village, 501-431-2850. Call the Hot Springs office at 800-467-2170.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

Community Services Office (CSO) in Hot Springs takes LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) applications for Garland County. Regular Assistance is a one-time payment per household each application period, in winter and summer, to help with the energy burden; only electric help is offered in summer, and you must have an active utility account. Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment to restore or prevent a utility shut-off. Income limits use 60% of State Median Income or federal poverty guidelines; for one person the maximum monthly countable income is $2,347. Summer cooling applications are closed for now. CSO is at 2254 Albert Pike Road in Hot Springs; call 501-624-5724. LIHEAP never charges a fee to apply.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Income limits are set each year by the Arkansas Energy Office; help depends on available funds, and CSO decides eligibility.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) office for Garland County is at 115 Stover Lane, Hot Springs, AR 71913. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 501-321-2583. DHS county office staff process applications for assistance. You can apply for Health Care (Medicaid), SNAP food benefits and TEA, and manage your benefits, online at Access.Arkansas.gov. For people 65 and older, DHS Health Care programs include full Medicaid coverage for those who meet income and resource rules, the Medicare Savings Program, nursing home care, Living Choices assisted living and ARChoices in-home care.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs, part of CommonSpirit Health, offers financial assistance for medically necessary care to patients who are uninsured or underinsured. With family income up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may get a 100% discount on eligible hospital services; with income between 201% and 400%, your bill may be reduced to the Amount Generally Billed. You need a balance of $10 or more, must try other ways to pay first, and must complete a Financial Assistance Application with proof of income. Emergency care never requires advance payment. For help, contact Eligibility and Enrollment Services at 300 Werner St, Hot Springs, AR 71913, phone 844-286-5546.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Intracity Transit (IT) is the City of Hot Springs public bus system, with three fixed routes and a paratransit service for people with disabilities. Buses run 6:10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, with no Sunday service. Seniors 62 and over, people with disabilities (ID required) and Medicare card holders pay $0.50 per ride instead of $1.25, or $22.00 for a monthly pass. All buses have wheelchair lifts. ADA paratransit is curb to curb within 3/4 mile of a bus route for people certified as ADA eligible; it costs $2.50 per one-way trip, and rides must be requested the day before at 501-321-6625. For bus information, call the Transportation Depot at 501-321-2020.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year

In this county: Reduced fares and paratransit eligibility are set by Intracity Transit; paratransit only serves trips within the bus service area.