Senior benefits in Hot Spring County, Arkansas

The Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas serves Hot Spring 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 center in Hot Spring County: Malvern Senior Center, 1800 W. Moline St., Malvern, 501-332-5374. Call the Hot Springs office at 800-467-2170.

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

Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC) takes LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) applications for Hot Spring County. In Hot Spring County, LIHEAP help is offered at the CADC office at 1303 South Main in Malvern. LIHEAP offers Regular Assistance and Crisis Intervention, each a one-time payment toward energy costs, usually paid to the utility. Winter heating help begins the first Monday after the New Year holiday and closes the last business day of March. Summer cooling help begins the first Monday after the July 4th holiday and closes the last business day of August. Crisis help runs with each program and ends the last business day of April (winter) or September (summer). Call CADC's LIHEAP line at 501-326-6229. Online and faxed applications are currently not available. LIHEAP never charges a fee to apply.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) office for Hot Spring County is at 2505 Pine Bluff Street, Malvern, AR 72104-0813. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 501-332-2718. 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

Baptist Health Medical Center Hot Spring County (1001 Schneider Drive, Malvern) is part of Baptist Health, which treats patients needing medically necessary care without regard to their ability to pay and offers free or discounted care to patients who qualify. Under the Baptist Health policy, applicants with household income below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guideline will be considered for full financial assistance, and those between 300% and 400% get a sliding-scale discount; applicants must meet both an income test and an asset test. Ask an Admissions Representative for an application, or call Patient Financial Services at 501-202-3900. The policy does not cover outside services such as Radiology Consultants or Pathology Labs of Arkansas.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

South Central Arkansas Transit (SCAT), run by Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC), offers public transportation to anyone, regardless of income, at a reduced rate. Vehicles run curb to curb. The SCAT office for Hot Spring County is at 830 West Moline, Malvern; phone 501-332-6215. Schedule trips at least 72 hours ahead and ask the local office about fares and transit hours. SCAT office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Medicaid members can schedule non-emergency medical rides 72 hours ahead by calling 1-800-385-9992.

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