Senior benefits in Clay County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Clay County residents is delivered through Western Indiana Community Action Agency (WICAA), 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 Western Indiana Community Action Agency (WICAA) (812-232-3500).

$200–$675/yr

Clay 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. Clay County has 11 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) Thrive West Central for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (812-238-1561). (3) The regional Community Action agency for EAP utility help. (4) The county hospital Financial Assistance Programs for healthcare. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities. (6) Catholic Charities Foodbank of Terre Haute (serving the Wabash Valley). (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

Clay County hospital safety net: Clay = Union Hospital Clay (Brazil, Union Health critical access) — the county anchor; free <212% FPL. 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://www.union.health/financial-assistance. Phone: 812-238-7621.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Clay: Clay = Union Hospital Clay (Brazil, Union Health critical access) — the county anchor; free <212% FPL. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Clay County's Area Agency on Aging is Thrive West Central (Area 7 Agency on Aging). Services: Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) options counseling; enrollment/assessment for the Medicaid PathWays for Aging waiver and the state CHOICE program; home-delivered and congregate meals; caregiver support (NFCSP); rural transportation; and home modifications. Thrive West Central is one of Indiana's 16 AAAs, serving the 6-county Wabash Valley. Apply by calling 812-238-1561 or 800-489-1561.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

Thrive Rural Transit provides demand-response public transportation in Clay, Parke, and Vermillion counties, including Clay County. People of all ages and abilities can ride, for any type of trip. Rides are completely free, with a suggested donation of $2.00 (the Brazil city route, added February 2025, is $1.00 per day). Call (812) 232-2675 or (800) 489-1561 to reserve a ride.

$500–$2,500/yr