Senior benefits in Cobb County, Georgia

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the Area Agency on Aging for Cobb County, serving older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers through its Empowerline service. ARC's aging team is a No Wrong Door / Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) access point: one call connects you to in-home care, home-delivered and group meals, transportation, caregiver support, benefits screening, and the Medicaid Community Care Services Program waiver. Services are for adults 60 and older, with priority for those in greatest need. Reach Empowerline at 404-463-3333.

$500–$6,000/yr

Tallatoona Community Action Partnership delivers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Cobb County. LIHEAP makes a one-time payment toward a household's home heating or cooling bill to reduce the energy burden on income-eligible households, with crisis help when a shutoff is imminent. Households qualify with income at or below 60% of the state median income, and seniors 65 and older and the medically homebound can apply early each season. Apply through Tallatoona; help is first-come, first-served until funds run out, so apply early.

$350–$1,000/yr

Wellstar Health System operates Cobb County's hospitals, anchored by Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center in Marietta. Wellstar's Financial Assistance Program provides free or discounted care based on household income compared to the federal poverty guidelines. Care is free for households at or below 125% of the poverty level; households between 126% and 200% receive a deep discount on the amount generally billed; and households between 201% and 300% may receive additional help depending on income and an assets test. Financial counselors can help you apply.

$500–$20,000/yr

CobbLinc is Cobb County's public bus system, with local routes and express service to Atlanta. CobbLinc offers a reduced fare for senior citizens 65 and older, Medicare cardholders, and CobbLinc-certified paratransit riders on local routes. To ride at the reduced fare, show documented proof of age (65+) or your Medicare card along with a valid photo ID. CobbLinc-certified paratransit passengers ride the local fixed routes free.

$150–$1,200/yr