Senior benefits in DeKalb County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for DeKalb County residents is delivered through Brightpoint (the regional Community Action agency), the Community Action agency for northeast Indiana. 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 Brightpoint (260-423-3546).

$200–$675/yr

DeKalb 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; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (260-745-1200). (3) Brightpoint for EAP utility help. (4) The county hospital Financial Assistance Programs for healthcare. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities of Fort Wayne-South Bend. (6) Community Harvest Food Bank of NE Indiana. (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

DeKalb County hospital safety net: DeKalb = Parkview DeKalb Hospital (Auburn, Parkview Health) — county anchor, with the Parkview Fort Wayne flagship for higher-acuity care. Indiana hospitals do not have a single state-mandated charity-care law (unlike New Jersey); each runs its own Financial Assistance Program (Parkview, for example, covers up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level), and non-profit hospitals must offer one. Apply at the hospital financial counseling office or at https://www.parkview.com/patients-and-visitors/billing-and-insurance/financial-assistance. Phone: 260-925-4600.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: DeKalb: DeKalb = Parkview DeKalb Hospital (Auburn, Parkview Health) — county anchor, with the Parkview Fort Wayne flagship for higher-acuity care. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

DeKalb County's Area Agency on Aging is Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana — Area 3 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); transportation; and home modifications. One of Indiana's 16 AAAs. Apply by calling 260-745-1200 or 800-552-3662.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

DART (DeKalb Area Rural Transit), run by the DeKalb County Council on Aging, provides demand-response public transportation across DeKalb County for seniors, riders with disabilities, and people of all ages — there are no eligibility requirements. Fares run about $5.00 per rider per stop within a city or town and $6.00 outside town limits (confirm current rates when booking). New riders fill out a short rider form; reserve rides a day ahead, with scheduling open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 260-925-3311 to schedule.

$500–$2,500/yr

In this county: DeKalb: open to everyone — no age requirement. Call 260-925-3311 a day ahead; confirm the current per-stop fare when booking.