Senior benefits in Montgomery County, Arkansas

The Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas serves Montgomery 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 Montgomery County: Mt. Ida Senior Center, 158 Senior Drive, Mt. Ida, 870-867-2313. 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 Montgomery County. In Montgomery County, LIHEAP help is offered at the Senior Center at 156 Senior Drive in Mt Ida (call 870-867-0151 for an appointment). 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 Montgomery County is at 232 Graham Street, Mount Ida, AR 71957-0445. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 870-867-3184. 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

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 Montgomery County is at 221 Airport Rd., Suite G, Hot Springs (serves Montgomery and Pike Counties); phone 501-623-2875. 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