Senior benefits in Gilmer County, Georgia
Seniors in Gilmer County, Georgia have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with healthcare costs, home energy bills, transportation, food, and more. The Northwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging serves Gilmer County and is a strong local starting point for connecting with services. Through the Northwest Georgia AAA Transportation program, eligible seniors may find help getting to medical appointments and other destinations. North Georgia Community Action offers Energy Assistance through LIHEAP to help with heating and cooling costs, and Piedmont Healthcare Financial Assistance may help those who receive care at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. State programs available here include GeorgiaCares for free Medicare counseling, the Georgia Senior Homestead Exemption, Georgia Medicaid, and the Community Care Services Program, among others. Dozens of federal programs also apply in this county. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
4
Local programs
17
Georgia programs
25
Federal programs
18
Categories
Local starting point
Northwest Georgia Regional Commission (NWGRC) Area Agency on Aging — Rome
706-295-6485
See which of these Gilmer County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Gilmer 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 Gilmer County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Gilmer County. Start here.
Elder Services
Programs here are typically worth $500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Northwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging — Gilmer County
CountyThe Northwest Georgia Regional Commission (NWGRC) is the Area Agency on Aging for Gilmer County. As an Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) access point, it connects older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to in-home care, home-delivered and group meals, transportation, caregiver support, benefits counseling, and the Medicaid Community Care Services Program waiver. Services are for adults 60 and older, with priority for those in greatest need. Call the NWGRC Aging team at 706-295-6485 (screening 1-800-759-2963).
$500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance
Programs here are typically worth $350–$1,000 a year to an eligible household.
Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) — North Georgia Community Action
CountyNorth Georgia Community Action (NGCA) delivers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Gilmer County. LIHEAP helps income-eligible households with home heating and cooling costs through a bill payment and energy-crisis assistance, provided once per year based on annual household income. 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 at your county NGCA Community Service Center; help is first-come, first-served until funds run out.
$350–$1,000/yr
Healthcare
Programs here are typically worth $500–$20,000 a year to an eligible household.
Piedmont Healthcare Financial Assistance — Gilmer County
CountyPiedmont Mountainside Hospital (Jasper, with an Ellijay campus) is the nearest Piedmont hospital serving Gilmer County in the north Georgia mountains. Piedmont Healthcare's Financial Assistance Program offers free or discounted care to lower-income patients. Patients with household income up to 200% of the federal poverty level may qualify for discounted care, and those with household resources up to 300% of the poverty guidelines may be eligible for fully discounted (free) services. Contact the Patient Financial Care team to apply.
$500–$20,000/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Northwest Georgia AAA Transportation — Gilmer County
CountyThe Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging coordinates transportation for older adults in Gilmer County, with rides arranged through the county's transit provider. Service helps seniors reach medical appointments, shopping, senior centers, and essential errands. Rides are demand-response and reserved in advance. Contact the NWGRC Aging team (706-295-6485) for the local transportation contact and to arrange service.
$150–$1,500/yr
Georgia and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Gilmer 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.