Senior benefits in Porter County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Porter County residents is delivered through Northwest Indiana Community Action (NWICA). 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 Northwest Indiana Community Action (NWICA) (219-794-1829).

$200–$675/yr

Porter 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. Porter County has 12 townships (Boone, Center, Jackson, Liberty, Morgan, Pine, Pleasant, Portage, Porter, Union, Washington, Westchester); find yours through the county trustee offices. (2) Northwest Indiana Community Action (NWICA) — Area 1 Agency on Aging for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (219-794-1829). (3) Northwest Indiana Community Action (NWICA) for EAP utility help. (4) The county hospital Financial Assistance Programs for healthcare. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities. (6) Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

Porter County hospital safety net: Porter = Northwest Health – Porter (Valparaiso, 301-bed) — the county anchor, with Franciscan Health and the Calumet systems reaching the western edge. 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.nwhealthporter.com/. Phone: 219-983-8300.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Porter: Porter = Northwest Health – Porter (Valparaiso, 301-bed) — the county anchor, with Franciscan Health and the Calumet systems reaching the western edge. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Porter County's Area Agency on Aging is Northwest Indiana Community Action (NWICA) — Area 1 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 219-794-1829.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

Porter County Aging and Community Services runs a door-to-door, demand-response transportation service for elderly residents and residents with disabilities of Porter County. Fares are $1.00 one way / $2.00 round trip, and riders with disabilities ride free. Service is weekday daytime only (first pickup 7:45 a.m., last 3:30 p.m.); schedule at 219-462-4302 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.). In Valparaiso, the V-Line city bus also offers a $0.50 reduced fare for seniors and students with ID (219-462-1161).

$200–$1,000/yr

In this county: Porter: PCACS rides are for elderly riders and riders with disabilities — no published age cutoff, so call 219-462-4302 to confirm you qualify. Weekday daytime only.