Senior benefits in Tolland County, Connecticut

Connecticut has no county government, so aging services are assigned by town, and two Area Agencies on Aging serve Tolland County. The North Central Area Agency on Aging (NCAAA) in Hartford serves Andover, Bolton, Ellington, Hebron, Somers, Stafford, Tolland and Vernon. Its services include the Aging & Disability Resource Center, CHOICES Medicare counseling (the state health insurance program), respite services for caregivers, service navigation and the Veteran-Directed Care Program. Call NCAAA at 860-724-6443 or toll free 1-800-994-9422. Senior Resources Agency on Aging in Norwich serves Columbia, Coventry, Mansfield, Union and Willington. Its programs include CHOICES Medicare counseling, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, the Statewide Alzheimer's Respite program, nutrition meal sites, grandparent support and the Veterans Directed Care Program. Call Senior Resources at 860-887-3561.

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

In all 13 Tolland County towns (Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Ellington, Hebron, Mansfield, Somers, Stafford, Tolland, Union, Vernon and Willington), apply for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) through ACCESS Community Action Agency. ACCESS offices are at 1315 Main Street, Willimantic (860-450-7400) and 231 Broad Street, Danielson (860-412-1600). 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

Tolland County has two hospitals with financial assistance programs. Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs is part of Trinity Health Of New England. A 100 percent discount for medically necessary services is available to patients who earn 200 percent or less of the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines, and those who earn between 201 and 400 percent may get a partial discount. Uninsured patients get a discount on medically necessary services, and interest-free payment plans are available. An application and supporting documents are required; give them to a Certified Financial Counselor at the hospital or mail them to the Financial Counselor's Office, 201 Chestnut Hill Road, Stafford Springs, CT 06076. Call Johnson Memorial financial counseling at 860-684-8553. Rockville General Hospital in Vernon is now a campus of Manchester Memorial Hospital, 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. Call Manchester Memorial Hospital at 888-943-6042, 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 medically necessary care.

Connecticut has no county government, so transit service in Tolland County depends on the town. Windham Region Transit District (WRTD) runs buses and a Dial-A-Ride service in Columbia, Coventry, Mansfield and Willington (plus nearby Ashford, Chaplin, Lebanon, Scotland and Windham). Dial-A-Ride is a door-to-door shared ride open to anyone, with no age or disability limits, Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last trip by 3:00 PM); each trip costs $3 one way and must be reserved by calling 860-456-2223. WRTD ADA Paratransit serves people of any age whose disability keeps them from using the bus, for trips within 3/4 mile of WRTD local routes; apply at www.ctada.com or call 860-456-2223. To ride WRTD buses at a reduced fare, show a Medicare card or a CT Reduced Fare ID card. The local single fare is $1.25, and riders over 60 who qualify for Area Agency on Aging funding may ride for a donation. In Vernon, Ellington and Tolland, Hockanum Valley Community Council (HVCC) Dial-a-Ride takes seniors and disabled adults (18 and older) to medical appointments, shopping and other errands anywhere in Vernon, Ellington, Tolland, Manchester and East Hartford. Register by phone and book up to 2 weeks ahead at 860-870-7940; there is an annual fee and a donation is requested for each trip. The Greater Hartford Transit District's ADA Paratransit also covers parts of Ellington, Tolland and Vernon within 3/4 mile of fixed bus routes; call 860-247-5329. Residents of Andover, Bolton, Hebron, Somers, Stafford and Union can ask their town senior center about local rides.

Estimated service value: about $0 a year