Senior benefits in Dodge County, Georgia
Seniors in Dodge County, Georgia, and their family caregivers have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, housing costs, food, energy bills, and daily living needs. The Heart of Georgia Altamaha Area Agency on Aging, based in Baxley, is a strong local starting point for connecting to services across the region. Dodge County residents may also qualify for the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Coordinated Transportation program, which can help with getting to appointments and other essential trips. Those facing high medical bills may find relief through Dodge County Hospital Financial Assistance, and help with home energy costs may be available through the Energy Assistance program offered by the Heart of Georgia Community Action Council. Beyond these local resources, state programs such as GeorgiaCares, the Community Care Services Program, and Georgia Medicare Savings Programs may apply, along with dozens of federal programs. Each program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
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Local programs
17
Georgia programs
25
Federal programs
18
Categories
Local starting point
Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission (HOGARC) Area Agency on Aging — Baxley
888-367-9913
See which of these Dodge County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Dodge County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Dodge County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Dodge County. Start here.
Elder Services
Programs here are typically worth $500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Heart of Georgia Altamaha Area Agency on Aging — Dodge County
CountyThe Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission is the Area Agency on Aging for Dodge County (Eastman). As an Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) one-call access point, it links older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities to in-home care, home-delivered and group meals, transportation, caregiver support, wellness programs, benefits counseling, and the Medicaid Community Care Services Program waiver. Services are for adults 60 and older (and people of any age with a dementia diagnosis), with priority for those in greatest need. Call the Heart of Georgia Altamaha ADRC at 1-888-367-9913.
$500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance
Programs here are typically worth $350–$1,000 a year to an eligible household.
Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) — Heart of Georgia Community Action Council — Dodge County
CountyThe Heart of Georgia Community Action Council (HOGCAC), part of the Middle Georgia Community Action Agency, delivers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Dodge County. LIHEAP makes a payment toward a household's primary heating or cooling bill for 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 households where every member is 65 or older or homebound are a priority and may apply early each season. Make an appointment with HOGCAC at 478-375-0077; help is first-come, first-served until funds run out.
$350–$1,000/yr
Healthcare
Programs here are typically worth $500–$18,000 a year to an eligible household.
Dodge County Hospital Financial Assistance — Dodge County
CountyDodge County Hospital in Eastman serves Dodge County (Eastman). The hospital's financial assistance (charity care) program offers free or discounted care to lower-income, uninsured, and underinsured patients, based on a review of household income and family size compared with the federal poverty guidelines. Those who qualify are never billed more than the amounts generally billed to insured patients. Financial counselors can help you apply.
$500–$18,000/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Heart of Georgia Altamaha Coordinated Transportation — Dodge County
CountyThe Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission coordinates Georgia's DHS regional transportation for Dodge County (Eastman), arranging demand-response, curb-to-curb rides through local transport providers. There are no fixed routes — trips are scheduled in advance for medical appointments, senior centers, shopping, and essential errands. Older adults can arrange rides through the Heart of Georgia Altamaha ADRC at 1-888-367-9913.
$150–$1,500/yr
Georgia and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Dodge County and across the rest of Georgia. Full details are on the Georgia benefits page.
Caregiver Support
Elder Services
- Georgia Non-Medicaid Home & Community-Based ServicesState$500–$6,000/yrOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- Georgia Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)State$350–$1,000/yrOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Georgia Medicaid (Aged, Blind & Disabled)State$4,000–$12,000/yrOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
Home Care
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrOfficial source →
Long Term Care
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Georgia Medicare Savings Programs (QMB / SLMB / QI)State$2,100–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Nutrition
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- Georgia Discounted Disability Hunting & Fishing License (Disabled Veterans)StateOfficial source →
- Georgia Department of Veterans Service Claims Assistance (Free VA Claims Help)StateOfficial source →
- GeorgiaCares (Georgia SHIP — Free Medicare Counseling)StateOfficial source →
- Elderly Legal Assistance Program (ELAP)StateOfficial source →
- Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemeteries (No-Cost Burial in Milledgeville and Glennville)StateOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federalup to $1,125/yrOfficial source →
- Georgia Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption (Property Tax)State$1,500–$4,300/yrOfficial source →
- Georgia Disabled Veteran Vehicle Tax Exemption (One Vehicle, Ad Valorem / TAVT)StateOfficial source →
- Georgia Senior Homestead Exemption (Age 65+ — $4,000)State$200–$1,500/yrOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrOfficial source →
Nearby counties
County programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.