Senior benefits in St. Joseph County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for St. Joseph County residents is delivered through REAL Services, the Area 2 Community Action / aging 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 REAL Services (574-284-2644).

$200–$675/yr

St. Joseph 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. St. Joseph County has 13 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) REAL Services for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (574-284-2644). (3) REAL Services for EAP utility help. (4) The county hospital Financial Assistance Programs for healthcare. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities of Fort Wayne-South Bend. (6) the Food Bank of Northern Indiana / Cultivate Food Rescue. (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

St. Joseph County hospital safety net: St. Joseph = Beacon Health System (Memorial Hospital of South Bend, flagship/trauma) + Saint Joseph Health System (Mishawaka, Trinity Health) — the two-system South Bend market. 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.beaconhealthsystem.org/. Phone: 574-647-7167.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: St. Joseph: St. Joseph = Beacon Health System (Memorial Hospital of South Bend, flagship/trauma) + Saint Joseph Health System (Mishawaka, Trinity Health) — the two-system South Bend market. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

St. Joseph County's Area Agency on Aging is REAL Services — Area 2 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 574-284-2644 or 800-552-7928.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

Transpo runs South Bend and Mishawaka's fixed-route buses. The full cash fare is $1.00; riders age 65 and over, Medicare cardholders, and riders with disabilities pay $0.50 on fixed routes by showing a photo ID proving age, a Medicare card, or a Transpo Reduced Fare Card. Apply for the Reduced Fare Card by mail (Transpo, 1401 S. Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, IN 46613 — written determination within 21 days) or call (574) 233-2131 (Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6 p.m.).

$25–$150/yr

In this county: St. Joseph: the $0.50 fare starts at 65 (or any age with a Medicare card) — a photo ID showing your age works when boarding.