Senior benefits in Spencer County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Spencer County residents is delivered through Lincoln Hills Development Corporation (LHDC). 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 dial 211 to reach the current Spencer County provider.

$200–$675/yr

Spencer 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. Spencer County has 9 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) SWIRCA & More for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (812-464-7817). (3) Lincoln Hills Development Corporation (LHDC) for EAP utility help. (4) The county hospital Financial Assistance Programs for healthcare. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities of Evansville. (6) Tri-State Food Bank. (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

Spencer County hospital safety net: Spencer = no in-county acute hospital; served by Deaconess (Evansville) and Memorial Hospital (Jasper). 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.deaconess.com/pay-my-bill/financial-assistance. Phone: 812-450-5000.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Spencer: Spencer = no in-county acute hospital; served by Deaconess (Evansville) and Memorial Hospital (Jasper). Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Spencer County's Area Agency on Aging is SWIRCA & More — Area 12 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 812-464-7817 or 866-400-0779.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

Ride Solution provides rural public transportation across ten southwestern Indiana counties, including Spencer County. Anyone can ride, at any age, for any purpose. One-way fares are $2.00 in town, $4.00 within one county, and $6.00 county-to-county, plus $1.00 for an extra in-town stop; children 7-12 ride for $1.00 with a paying adult and children 6 and under ride free. There is no senior discount — the benefit is the low, subsidized fare itself. Call (812) 254-3225, Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., to schedule a ride.

$500–$2,500/yr