Senior benefits in Windham County, Connecticut

Senior Resources Agency on Aging in Norwich is the Area Agency on Aging for all 15 Windham County towns (Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Sterling, Thompson, Windham and Woodstock). 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 15 Windham County towns (Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Sterling, Thompson, Windham and Woodstock), 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

The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) has a Resource Center in this county: the Willimantic Resource Center, 1320 Main Street / Tyler Square, Willimantic. 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 15 Windham County towns are handled by the DSS New Haven office, 50 Humphrey Street, New Haven.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Windham County's two hospitals each have a financial assistance program. Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam helps patients who cannot pay all or part of a Day Kimball Hospital bill. Help is based on total gross income and family size, and patients who qualify are not charged more than patients who have insurance. To apply, a household needs income under 400% of the federal poverty level and must live in Connecticut (unless care was given in the emergency department or through an emergency admission). Bring 3 months of proof of income (such as pay stubs or a Social Security income letter) and a bank statement for the past 30 days for all accounts. Call Day Kimball's financial counselors at 860-963-6337 (option 2 for financial assistance). Windham Hospital in Willimantic 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. Call Windham Hospital Financial Assistance at 860-456-6706, 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. Day Kimball's program applies to Day Kimball Hospital bills only.

Connecticut has no county government, so transit service in Windham County depends on the town. The Northeastern Connecticut Transit District (NECTD) runs Flex Route and On-Demand rides daily for Brooklyn, Canterbury, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Sterling, Thompson and Woodstock, with trips to places like Day Kimball Hospital, pharmacies and grocery stores. Its buses can leave the route for a pre-scheduled stop if booked 24 hours or more ahead. NECTD's Elderly-Disabled Direct Service gives door-to-door rides to pre-qualified seniors and people with disabilities; it needs a simple application and a reservation 48 hours ahead. Call the NECTD dispatcher at 860-774-3902, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Windham Region Transit District (WRTD) runs buses and a Dial-A-Ride service in Ashford, Chaplin, Scotland and Windham (Willimantic), along with nearby Columbia, Coventry, Lebanon, Mansfield and Willington. 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.

Estimated service value: about $0 a year