King County, Washington vs Maricopa County, Arizona

Washington's Family Caregiver Support Program helps unpaid caregivers of adults who need care. Through the local Area Agency on Aging, caregivers get a TCARE assessment and tailored plan, respite care, training, counseling, and support groups — free or low cost. Call Community Living Connections at 1-855-567-0252 to get connected.

Washington's ABD program pays a monthly cash grant — up to $450 for a single person or $570 for a married couple — to low-income residents who are 65 or older, blind, or have a health condition that prevents work for at least 12 months, and who do not receive SSI. Countable income must be below the grant amount and countable resources at or below $12,000 in equity value. Apply at Washington Connection, by phone at 1-877-501-2233, or at a Community Services Office.

$1,000–$5,400/yr

Aging and Disability Services (ADS) — Area Agency on Aging for Seattle & King County is the Area Agency on Aging for King County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Administers Older Americans Act funding for Seattle-King County, partnering with community-based organizations to provide congregate and home-delivered meals, caregiver support, case management, elder abuse prevention, health promotion, information and assistance (Community Living Connections), legal support, senior centers, and transportation services. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-206-684-0660 to get started.

$500–$6,000/yr

LIHEAP helps income-eligible Washington households pay home heating bills, with emergency help for shut-offs. For the current program year, average monthly income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines — $1,956 for one person or $2,644 for two. Households apply once each program year (October 1 through September 30) through the local community action agency serving their county; the grant amount depends on household size, income, and heating costs.

$300–$1,000/yr

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households in King County pay home heating bills, with emergency help for shut-offs. The Washington Department of Commerce funds the program, and Byrd Barr Place (City of Seattle); Hopelink (North & East King County); Multi-Service Center (South King County) takes applications and delivers benefits for this county. Older adults and people with disabilities are prioritized. Assistance is usually available once a year while funds last. Call 1-206-812-4940 to apply.

$300–$1,000/yr

Washington's Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program gives eligible residents 60 and older (55 and older for Native Americans and Alaska Natives) a benefit card preloaded with $80 to buy fresh produce at authorized farmers markets, farm stores, and CSAs from June 1 through October 31. Monthly income must be below 185% of the federal poverty level. Apply each year through the local Area Agency on Aging; benefits do not roll over.

$80/yr

Washington's Apple Health covers adults who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled with limited income and assets. For 2026, monthly income must be $994 or less for one person or $1,491 for a couple, with countable resources of $2,000 or less for one person or $3,000 for a couple. People over the income limit may still qualify by spending down on medical expenses (the medically needy pathway). Apply online at Washington Connection, by phone at 1-877-501-2233, or at a Community Services Office.

$4,000–$15,000/yr

SHIBA volunteers provide free, unbiased, and confidential help with Medicare — understanding the parts of Medicare, comparing plans, enrolling, and finding assistance programs. Any Medicare beneficiary can use SHIBA, including people under 65 with disabilities. Call 1-800-562-6900 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) or find a local SHIBA office online.

Uninsured and underinsured residents of King County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Harborview Medical Center / UW Medical Center (Seattle) for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. UW Medicine financial assistance (WA Charity Care Act, RCW 70.170) covers Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center, UW Physicians, UW Medicine Primary Care, Valley Medical Center, and Airlift Northwest. Page states: 'UW Medicine provides financial assistance for any patient/guarantor whose gross family income is up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)' with '0% - 300% of the FPL for a 100% financial assistance discount'. CAVEAT: uwmedicine.org 403-blocks default fetcher user agents (Akamai); page loads with a Safari browser user agent.

TSOA helps Washingtonians 55 and older who need nursing-facility-level care stay at home without enrolling in Medicaid — with much higher financial limits than Medicaid: monthly income up to $3,976 and resources up to $84,354 for a single person ($156,883 with a spouse at home). It funds caregiver supports (respite, training, home-delivered meals, minor home modifications, transportation) and personal-assistance services for those without an unpaid caregiver. Apply at Washington Connection or through the local Area Agency on Aging (1-855-567-0252).

$2,000–$15,000/yr

COPES lets Washingtonians who need nursing-facility-level care get that care at home or in a community setting instead — personal care, adult day health, home modifications, and more. For 2026, monthly income must be $2,982 or less (the Medicaid special income level) and countable resources $2,000 or less for one person, with spousal protections for married applicants. A DSHS CARE assessment determines the level-of-care need. Contact the local Home and Community Services office or call 1-855-567-0252 to start.

$10,000–$80,000/yr

Washington runs four state veterans homes providing Medicaid- and Medicare-certified 24-hour nursing care: the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting, the Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard (Retsil), the Spokane Veterans Home, and the Walla Walla Veterans Home. Veterans who served in any branch with an honorable discharge and live in Washington may apply — as may spouses of residents, widows of eligible veterans, and Gold Star Parents. Call 1-877-838-7787 for admissions.

$10,000–$40,000/yr

Washington's Medicare Savings Programs pay Medicare costs for people with limited income — and Washington has no asset test, so savings do not count. For 2026: QMB (monthly income up to $1,483 single / $2,004 couple, 110% of the poverty level) pays Part A and B premiums, deductibles, and copayments; SLMB (up to $1,616 / $2,185) and QI-1 (up to $1,855 / $2,510) pay the Part B premium. Enrolling also brings Extra Help with prescription costs. Apply at Washington Connection.

$2,000–$8,000/yr

The Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake provides burial for members of the armed forces who met a minimum active-duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. For the veteran there is no charge for the plot or columbarium, inscribed government marker, concrete vault, military honors, burial flag, or perpetual care. Spouses and eligible dependent children may be interred for a fee ($311 as of October 1, 2025). Call 509-299-6280.

Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Service Officers help veterans and their families prepare and file claims for VA disability compensation, pensions, Aid & Attendance, health care, and other federal, state, or county benefits, using a case management approach through Veterans Service Offices and a statewide referral service. Call 1-800-562-2308 or email benefits@dva.wa.gov to reach a Service Officer.

Washington lets homeowners who are 60 or older by December 31 (or unable to work because of a disability) defer property taxes and special assessments — the state pays the taxes and is repaid, with 5% annual interest, when the home is sold or leaves the program. Up to 80% of home equity can be deferred with fire and casualty insurance naming the Department of Revenue as loss payee. Income must be under the county's deferral threshold (75% of county median household income). Apply through the county assessor at least 30 days before taxes are due; renew yearly.

$500–$6,000/yr

King County offers real estate tax relief (exemption) for homeowners who are 61 or older or permanently disabled. Total household income must be $84,000 or less. RCW 84.36.381 senior/disabled exemption; King County's income threshold for tax years 2024-2026 is $84,000 (Income Threshold 3; confirmed against the DOR county threshold table). The assessor page's eligibility table phrases the age test as 'At least age 62 the first year you apply' (i.e., age 61 by Dec 31 of the assessment year, per state law), while its 'Message to seniors' uses age 61. Disability path (no age minimum) for disabled persons or veterans with at least 80% service-connected disability. Property tax deferral also available at income $88,998 or less. Apply through the county assessor's office.

$200–$3,000/yr

King County Metro serves King County with Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) gives seniors 65+ and riders with disabilities $1 fares on Metro; the RRFP is honored across the regional ORCA agencies (Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, etc.). Metro also offers ORCA LIFT, an income-based reduced fare for lower-income riders of any age, and a Subsidized Annual Pass for riders in certain state benefit programs.. Older adults and people with disabilities can use reduced fares or demand-response rides for medical appointments, shopping, and other essential trips. Rides are free or low-cost depending on the service. Call 1-206-553-3000 for schedules, eligibility, or to book a ride.

$150–$1,500/yr

Washington's Weatherization Assistance Program makes home energy-saving improvements for income-eligible homeowners and renters — insulation, air sealing, and related repairs that lower utility bills. Households qualify with income up to 200% of the federal poverty level, 60% of the state median income, or 80% of the area median income, whichever applies. Apply through the local weatherization agency for the county — the Commerce page lists each county's agency.

$1,000–$8,000/yr

This program helps family and unpaid caregivers with information, help getting services, individual counseling, support groups, caregiver training, respite care, and limited supplemental services. It serves caregivers age 18+ caring for someone 60 or older (or any age with Alzheimer's/dementia), and older relatives age 55+ raising children or caring for an adult with a disability. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or the Arizona Caregiver Resource Line.

The Area Agency on Aging, Region One is the federally designated agency that plans and funds Older Americans Act services for Maricopa County adults age 60 and older, their family caregivers, and adults with disabilities. Covered communities include Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Chandler, and the large retirement communities of Sun City and Sun City West. Services include case management, home-delivered and congregate meals, homemaking and personal care, family caregiver support and respite, and free Medicare and benefits counseling. Reach the 24-hour Senior HELP LINE at 602-264-4357 or the main line at 1-888-783-7500 to start.

$1,200–$6,000/yr

The Military Family Relief Fund helps Arizona service members, veterans, and their families through financial hardship caused by the service member's military service — up to $20,000 per family, based on need. There are two parts: a post-9/11 fund and a pre-9/11 fund, so veterans of Vietnam, Korea, and other earlier eras can apply too. The core requirement is that the service member was deceased, wounded, injured, or became seriously ill in connection with service, has an Arizona connection (deployed from an Arizona base, Arizona home of record, Arizona National Guard, or established residency), and has lived in Arizona for at least the 12 months before applying. Help can include living expenses such as mortgage, rent, and utilities. An advisory committee reviews each application.

$500–$20,000/yr

LIHEAP helps Arizona households pay heating and cooling utility bills and handle energy emergencies. Eligibility is based on income at or below 60% of the State Median Income — in federal fiscal year 2026 that is about $33,690/year for one person, $44,056 for two, $54,422 for three, and $64,789 for a household of four (higher for larger households). Households already getting SNAP or cash assistance are automatically income-eligible. Apply through your local Community Action Agency.

$200–$1,500/yr

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps Maricopa County households with limited income pay electric and gas bills, with extra crisis help to prevent shutoffs during Arizona's dangerous summer heat. Outside the cities of Glendale, Mesa, and Phoenix, the county's Human Services Department delivers LIHEAP through Community Action Program (CAP) offices; residents of those three cities apply through their city program. Apply online through the Human Services client portal or through a local Community Action office; 2-1-1 Arizona can route callers to the nearest site. LIHEAP service line: 1-866-494-1981.

$200–$1,140/yr

AHCCCS is Arizona's Medicaid program. The SSI-MAO pathway covers people who are age 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, with income at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level ($1,330/month for one person, $1,804 for a couple, as of February 2026). There is no separate asset test listed for SSI-MAO on the AHCCCS eligibility chart, and there is no premium. Coverage is delivered through an AHCCCS managed-care health plan. Apply at Health-e-Arizona Plus.

$4,000–$30,000/yr

Arizona's SHIP gives free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Trained counselors help compare Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, and Medigap, and help enroll in programs that lower Medicare costs (Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Program). Counselors do not sell or endorse any plan. Call 1-800-432-4040.

Valleywise Health is the public safety-net hospital system for Maricopa County, run by the county Special Health Care District. Its financial assistance program lowers or eliminates hospital bills for uninsured and low-income patients based on household size and income relative to the Federal Poverty Level, with a sliding discount for higher incomes. Patients in the Phoenix metro also have financial-assistance options at Banner Health (bannerhealth.com), HonorHealth (honorhealth.com), and Dignity Health / CommonSpirit St. Joseph's (dignityhealth.org); Valleywise is highlighted here as the county's safety-net provider. Call Eligibility Specialists at 602-344-2550 to apply.

Arizona's aging network provides non-Medicaid in-home and community support for residents age 60 and older — personal care, homemaker help, home-delivered and congregate meals, case management, assisted transportation, and caregiver support — so older adults can stay in their own home. Area Agency on Aging case managers determine eligibility. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging.

ALTCS is Arizona's Medicaid long-term-care program. It pays for nursing-facility care and home & community-based services (personal care, home care, adult day care) for people who need a nursing-home level of care, so many can stay in their own home. You must need that level of care, have income at or below 300% of the SSI benefit rate ($2,982/month in 2026), and have countable resources of $2,000 or less. Apply through the ALTCS office or Health-e-Arizona Plus.

$10,000–$80,000/yr

Arizona runs four State Veteran Homes providing skilled nursing care for veterans and their spouses: Phoenix (104 beds), Tucson (120 beds, with a 30-bed memory care unit), Flagstaff (80 beds, with memory care and a Medicare rehab unit), and Yuma (80 beds, with a 20-bed memory care unit). The homes are state-owned and Medicare-certified, and the memory care units serve residents with Alzheimer's or other dementia. Admission is open to an honorably-separated veteran or the spouse of a veteran who needs skilled nursing care as determined by a physician. Residents pay a daily rate, and VA benefits can offset the cost — an ADVS Veteran Benefits Counselor works in each home and can help sort out what the VA will cover.

Medicare Savings Programs help people with Medicare pay their Part B premium, and (at the QMB level) also deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. Arizona has three levels — QMB, SLMB, and QI-1 — with rising income limits. In 2026 the highest level (QI-1) reaches about $1,796/month for one person and $2,435/month for a couple. Arizona applies NO asset/resource test to these programs. Apply at Health-e-Arizona Plus.

$2,100–$8,000/yr

This program gives Arizona residents age 60 or older a $50 coupon (once a year) to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from participating farmers. Household income must be at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $2,461/month for one person, $3,337 for two), or you can qualify by being in the Commodity Senior Food Program. Coupons are first-come, first-served and mailed to eligible seniors. Apply through the Arizona Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

$50/yr

Arizona's Veteran Benefits Counselors give free help to veterans, their dependents, and survivors with federal and state benefits — preparing and filing VA disability compensation and pension claims, appealing VA decisions, representing claimants at VA hearings, filing survivor benefits, requesting military records, and certifying DD-214 discharge paperwork. All counselors are accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Getting the VA rating right matters twice in Arizona: the rating drives federal compensation AND the state property tax exemption, which is prorated by the disability percentage. Counselors work in person, by phone, or virtually across Arizona, including at the State Veteran Homes in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma. No one needs to pay a private company to file a VA claim.

Arizona law gives a free hunting and fishing license to a veteran who receives U.S. government compensation for a permanent service-connected disability rated 100% disabling. The complimentary license carries the privileges of a combination hunting and fishing license. The veteran must have lived in Arizona for at least one year before applying. When the VA letter shows the 100% rating is permanent and will not be re-evaluated, the license is issued for the holder's lifetime — otherwise it is valid for three years at a time. Apply through the Arizona Game and Fish Department with a copy of the VA benefits letter.

Arizona operates three state veterans' cemeteries: the Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo in Bellemont (near Flagstaff), the Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery at Marana (near Tucson), and the Southern Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista. Burial for an eligible veteran includes the gravesite, opening and closing, a concrete liner for casket burials, a government marker, and perpetual care at no cost. Spouses, un-remarried widows and widowers, minor children, and in some cases unmarried adult dependent children may also be buried there — and an eligible spouse may be buried even if they pass away before the veteran. Options include in-ground casket burial, in-ground urn burial, and columbarium placement. Applying ahead of need settles the eligibility paperwork in advance and spares the family that step later.

Arizona reduces property taxes for veterans with a VA disability rating. For 2026 the exemption is $4,873 of assessed value, multiplied by the disability percentage — a 50% rating exempts about $2,437 of assessed value, and both service-connected and non-service-connected VA ratings count. New for tax year 2026: a veteran rated 100% service-connected has the home fully exempt from property tax, even if the property is jointly owned, and the surviving spouse keeps that full exemption while living in the home and unmarried. Household income for the prior year must be $39,865 or less ($47,826 with a minor or disabled child at home) — but Social Security and VA payments do not count toward that limit, so many retirees qualify on paper income that looks higher. Apply with the county assessor between early January and March 1, with the VA letter showing the rating.

$40–$2,000/yr

This is a refundable Arizona income-tax credit (up to $502) for low-income residents who are 65 or older, or who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It helps with property tax OR rent paid on your main Arizona home — so renters can claim it too. You must have lived in Arizona all year and have very low household income (as defined for this credit). File Form 140PTC by April 15.

up to $502/yr

Arizona gives a property-tax exemption (reducing assessed value by $4,873 for 2026) to widows, widowers, and people with a total and permanent disability who own a home in Arizona. Household income from all sources must be $39,865 or less (or $47,826 with minor children or a disabled dependent), and the total assessed value of your Arizona property must be $36,454 or less. Apply to your county assessor between the first Monday in January and March 1.

$100–$600/yr

This program freezes the taxable (limited) value of the home for Arizona homeowners age 65 or older, so that value can't rise while you qualify. To qualify, at least one owner must be 65+, you must have owned and lived in the home for the prior two years as your primary residence, and your 3-year-average total income from all sources must be $47,712 or less (one owner) or $59,640 or less (two or more owners). Apply to your county assessor on Form 82104 by September 1.

$100–$1,500/yr

Valley Metro operates buses and light rail across the Phoenix metro area and offers a Reduced Fare program for riders age 65 and older, Medicare cardholders, and people with disabilities — roughly half of the standard fare with a Reduced Fare ID card. Riders who cannot use fixed-route service due to a disability can use city Dial-a-Ride ADA paratransit and the RideChoice program, which books trips through taxis and rideshare partners. Serves Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Chandler, and surrounding cities. Call 602-716-2100 for paratransit or apply for a Reduced Fare ID card online.

$200–$1,200/yr