Senior benefits in Knox County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Knox County residents is delivered through Pace Community Action Agency, 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), with a Crisis benefit for imminent disconnection. Apply through the Indiana EAP client portal (in.gov/ihcda) or Pace Community Action Agency (812-882-7927).

$200–$675/yr

Knox 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. Knox County has 10 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) Generations for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (812-888-5880). (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) Tri-State Food Bank (serving Southwestern Indiana). (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

Knox County hospital safety net: Knox = Good Samaritan Hospital (Vincennes, independent county-owned regional referral center) — the Lower-Wabash anchor. 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.gshvin.org/patients-visitors/insurance-billing-payment/. Phone: 812-885-3325.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Knox: Knox = Good Samaritan Hospital (Vincennes, independent county-owned regional referral center) — the Lower-Wabash anchor. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Knox County's Area Agency on Aging is Generations (Area 13 Agency on Aging), operated by Vincennes University. 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. Generations is one of Indiana's 16 AAAs, serving the Lower Wabash Valley. Apply by calling 812-888-5880 or 800-742-9002.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

The Vincennes YMCA runs Knox County's public transportation. VanGo shuttles provide door-to-door, on-demand rides anywhere in Knox County: $3.00 one way inside Vincennes city limits, $6.00 one way elsewhere in the county; drivers will assist elderly riders and riders with disabilities from the door on request. The Vincennes Trolley is a free fixed-route bus with about 60 stops in Vincennes, including Walmart, Vincennes University, and Good Samaritan Hospital. VanGo runs Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-8 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 812-886-3381 to schedule (24 hours ahead when possible).

$500–$2,500/yr

In this county: Knox: open to everyone — no age requirement or documents. Call 812-886-3381 a day ahead for VanGo; the Vincennes Trolley is free, no reservation needed.