Senior benefits in Madison County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Madison County residents is delivered through Interlocal Community Action Program (ICAP), 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 Interlocal Community Action Program (ICAP) (765-529-4403).

$200–$675/yr

Madison 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. Madison County has 14 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) LifeStream Services for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (765-759-1121). (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) Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

Madison County hospital safety net: Madison = Community Hospital Anderson (Community Health Network) + Ascension St. Vincent Anderson. 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.ecommunity.com/locations/community-hospital-anderson. Phone: 765-298-4242.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Madison: Madison = Community Hospital Anderson (Community Health Network) + Ascension St. Vincent Anderson. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Madison County's Area Agency on Aging is LifeStream Services (Area 6 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; Meals on Wheels and congregate meals; caregiver support (NFCSP); transportation (TRAM); and home modifications. LifeStream is one of Indiana's 16 AAAs, serving 12 East Central Indiana counties. Apply by calling 765-759-1121 or 800-589-1121.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

City of Anderson Transit System (CATS) runs fixed-route buses in Anderson (Madison County). Regular fare is $1.00; riders with a VIP Reduced Fare Card pay 50 cents. The VIP card is open to riders age 60 and over, Medicare recipients, and honorably discharged veterans — apply at the Downtown Terminal (1109 Main Street, 765-646-5747). CATS also runs Nifty Lift ADA paratransit ($2.00 one way). Rural Madison County outside Anderson is served by LifeStream's TRAM demand-response service (888-589-1121); riders 60 and over pay $2.50 per one-way trip.

$50–$150/yr