Senior benefits in Putnam County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Putnam 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

Putnam 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. Putnam County has 13 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

Putnam County hospital safety net: Putnam = Putnam County Hospital (Greencastle, independent county hospital) — free <212% FPL; serves DePauw. 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.pchosp.org/business-office-patient-accounts-biling. Phone: 765-653-5121.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Putnam: Putnam = Putnam County Hospital (Greencastle, independent county hospital) — free <212% FPL; serves DePauw. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Putnam 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

Rural Transit, run by the Area 10 Agency on Aging, is a door-to-door public transportation service open to everyone in its south central Indiana service area, including Putnam County — any age, any ability. Fares are charged at the time of service (about $3.00 one way within one county; cash or check, passes sold by the driver — confirm current rates when booking). Schedule rides 3-5 days ahead: 765-848-1508.

$500–$2,500/yr

In this county: Putnam: open to everyone — no age requirement. Call 765-848-1508 three to five days ahead; confirm the current fare when booking.