Senior benefits in Benton County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Benton County residents is delivered through Area IV Agency on Aging and Community Action Programs (Lafayette), the regional Community Action agency. EAP provides a one-time winter-heating / summer-cooling credit (up to $675) plus winter disconnection protection for households at or below 60% of the State Median Income (~$33,556/year for one person). Apply through the Indiana EAP client portal (in.gov/ihcda) or Area IV (765-447-7683).

$200–$675/yr

Benton County emergency aid: (1) DISTINCTIVE to Indiana — each elected Township Trustee provides 'poor relief' (township assistance): emergency help with rent / eviction prevention, utility shutoff, food, clothing, medical needs, and burial expenses for residents of that township. Benton County has 11 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) Area IV Agency on Aging for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (765-447-7683). (3) Area IV Community Action for EAP utility help. (4) The county hospital Financial Assistance Programs for healthcare. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities. (6) Food Finders Food Bank of Lafayette. (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

Benton County hospital safety net: Benton = no in-county acute hospital; served by IU Health Arnett + Franciscan Lafayette (Tippecanoe), to the east. Indiana hospitals do not have a single state-mandated charity-care law (unlike New Jersey); each runs its own Financial Assistance Program, typically a sliding scale to 200-300% of the Federal Poverty Level, and non-profit hospitals must offer one. Apply at the hospital financial counseling office or at https://iuhealth.org/. Phone: 765-448-8000.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Benton: Benton = no in-county acute hospital; served by IU Health Arnett + Franciscan Lafayette (Tippecanoe), to the east. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Benton County's Area Agency on Aging is Area IV Agency on Aging and Community Action Programs. Services: Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) options counseling; enrollment/assessment for the Medicaid PathWays for Aging waiver and the state CHOICE program; Meals on Wheels (via Meals on Wheels Greater Lafayette / Mid-Land Meals); caregiver support (NFCSP); transportation; and home modifications. One of Indiana's 16 AAAs. Apply by calling 765-447-7683.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

Area IV Agency runs rural public transportation in Benton County — transportation is public, so anyone can ride. A one-way trip from Benton County to Tippecanoe County (Lafayette area) is $20.00. Medicaid members may qualify for free medical rides through the state broker (1-855-325-7586, option 1). Call 765-447-7683 (option 2) at least 48 hours ahead to schedule.

$200–$1,000/yr

In this county: Benton: open to everyone. Call 765-447-7683 (option 2) two days ahead; a one-way trip to the Lafayette area is $20.