Senior benefits in Searcy County, Arkansas

The Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas is the Area Agency on Aging for Searcy County. It is a private, non-profit group that has served seniors in nine northwest Arkansas counties since 1979, and it also serves veterans and people with disabilities. Its services include adult day centers and services, care coordination, the Family Caregiver Support Program, housing, in-home services and help, Meals on Wheels, medical supplies, a personal emergency response system (Life Alert), and senior activity centers. The Searcy County branch office is at 507 Zack Road, Marshall; call 870-448-3155. Senior centers in the county include the Searcy County Senior Activity & Wellness Center in Marshall (870-448-2999). The main office in Harrison can be reached toll-free at 1-800-432-9721.

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

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps households with home energy bills: heating costs in the winter and cooling costs in the summer. In Searcy County, Ozark Opportunities, Inc. takes LIHEAP applications. Its office is at 701 E. Prospect Ave., Harrison; call 870-741-9406 (extension 2). Arkansas LIHEAP pays a regular benefit based on household income, household size and the type of energy used, and a crisis benefit that can prevent a shut-off, restore service, or provide fuel when it has run out. Applications are taken first-come, first-served, typically from January to April 30 and from July to September 30 each year. Apply through this agency, not the Arkansas Energy Office. LIHEAP never charges a fee to apply.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) county office for Searcy County is at 106 School Street, Marshall, AR 72650. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 870-448-3153. DHS county offices are run by the Division of County Operations, which processes applications for public assistance. You can apply for health care (Medicaid) and SNAP food benefits at your local county office, or apply and manage benefits online at Access.Arkansas.gov.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC) in Harrison (Boone County), the nearest general hospital has a financial assistance program for patients who live in its service area, which includes Searcy County. Under the NARMC Financial Assistance Policy, patients with net household income of 0% to 138% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may get a 100% discount, and those from 138% to 200% may get a 50% discount. The policy covers emergency and medically necessary care. Eligibility also looks at citizenship or legal permanent residency, the bill amount, income and assets. You can ask for help up to 240 days after your first bill. Get an application at the hospital, download one from narmc.com, or call 870-414-4879.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

North Arkansas Transportation Service (NATS) is a public transit service run by the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District. Its service area is Baxter, Boone, Fulton, Izard, Marion, Newton and Searcy counties and parts of Carroll and Madison counties. Anyone may ride; there are no age limits. NATS gives rides for medical visits, shopping and personal trips, and takes Medicaid and Medicare clients to medical visits. Dial-A-Ride trips need a reservation 24 hours ahead. Dial-A-Ride fares are $7.00 for trips of 0 through 10 miles and $10.00 for 11 through 20 miles; rides inside Mountain Home city limits are free and rides inside Harrison city limits are $3.00. Offices in Harrison and Mountain Home are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 4:30. Call 870-741-8008 to schedule.

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