Senior benefits in New London County, Connecticut

Senior Resources Agency on Aging in Norwich is the Area Agency on Aging for all 21 New London County towns (Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Preston, Salem, Sprague, Stonington, Voluntown and Waterford). Connecticut has no county government, so aging services are assigned by town. Its programs include CHOICES Medicare counseling, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, the Statewide Alzheimer's Respite program, nutrition meal sites with education and counseling, grandparent support, healthy living programs, Senior Medicare Patrol, Money Follows the Person, the Veterans Directed Care Program and Benefits Checkup. It also funds local agencies for adult day care, homemakers, home health aides and transportation. Call 860-887-3561. For free Medicare counseling from a CHOICES counselor, call 860-887-3561 ext. 132.

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

In all 21 New London County towns (Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Preston, Salem, Sprague, Stonington, Voluntown and Waterford), apply for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) through the Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA). TVCCA has offices at 83 Huntington Street, New London, and 401 West Thames, Norwich; call 860-425-6681. Email applications go to ess@tvcca.org. CEAP is Connecticut's version of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The Department of Social Services runs it with local Community Action Agencies. It helps pay home heating costs; benefits for the 2026-2027 season are $355 to $705, usually paid straight to the utility or fuel company. A household can qualify by getting SNAP, TANF, SSI or certain other benefits, or with yearly income at or below 60% of the state median income ($48,714 for 1 person or $63,703 for 2). Applications opened September 1, 2026, and the last day to apply is May 31, 2027. You can apply online, by phone, by email, by mail, or in person by appointment. CEAP is yearly, so apply again each season.

Estimated bill savings: $355–$705 a year

The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) has a Resource Center in this county: the Norwich Resource Center, 401 West Thames Street, Norwich. Resource Centers are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Services in the office include eligibility interviews, picking up applications and forms, filling out applications on-site, general information, and picking up mail, EBT cards and income verifications. If an in-person interview is needed, make an appointment by calling the DSS Benefits Center at 1-855-626-6632 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Benefits such as SNAP food help and HUSKY Health (Medicaid) can also be applied for and renewed online at connect.ct.gov or in the MyDSS app. Applications for long-term services and supports (long-term care Medicaid) from all 21 New London County towns are handled by the DSS New Haven office, 50 Humphrey Street, New Haven.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

New London County's two main hospitals each have a financial assistance program for emergency and medically necessary care. Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London is part of Yale New Haven Health. Under the Yale New Haven Health program, a family with income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level may get free care (a 100% discount); for a 1-person household that is up to $39,900 a year, and for 2 people up to $54,100. Families from 251% to 550% of the federal poverty level may get a partial discount, which is 72% at Lawrence + Memorial. Patients must fill out an application and send documents that show financial need. Call Patient Financial and Admitting Services at 855-547-4584. William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich is part of Hartford HealthCare. Its policy says patients with family income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level may qualify for free care, and those between 250% and 550% may qualify for a discount. People who get Medicaid, SNAP or other public assistance may be approved without an application. Apply within 240 days after the first bill; approval generally lasts six months. Call the Backus Financial Counseling Unit at 860-889-8331 ext. 2917, or Hartford HealthCare at 877-442-2455.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Each hospital's financial assistance policy decides who qualifies and how much of the bill is covered; the hospital makes the final decision. Assistance covers emergency and medically necessary care only.

Connecticut has no county government, so transit service depends on the town. Southeast Area Transit District (SEAT) runs buses in East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Lisbon, Montville, New London, Norwich, Stonington and Waterford. The regular bus fare is $1.75; the senior/disabled fare is $0.85 when you show a Medicare card or a senior/disabled card. SEAT ADA Paratransit is a shared curb-to-curb ride for people whose disability keeps them from using the bus, within 3/4 mile of SEAT bus routes; each one-way ride is $3.50. To apply, call the SEAT ADA Manager at 860-886-2631 ext. 106; approved riders book at least one day ahead at 860-934-5237. In Lyme and Old Lyme, River Valley Transit Dial-A-Ride is open to the general public with no application ($3.50 one way, or a $1.75 donation for pre-registered seniors 60+); call 860-510-0429. In Lebanon, Windham Region Transit District Dial-A-Ride is open to anyone for $3 one way; call 860-456-2223. Residents of Bozrah, Colchester, Franklin, Ledyard, North Stonington, Preston, Salem, Sprague and Voluntown can ask their town senior center about local rides.

Estimated service value: about $0 a year