Senior benefits in Starke County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Starke County residents is delivered through Northwest Indiana Community Action (NWICA) — with Lake County Community Services (LCCS) as the senior/disability Energy Assistance partner. NWICA is the designated Area 1 Community Action Agency (EAP + Weatherization), and LCCS provides senior/disability EAP intake across Jasper, Newton, Pulaski, and Starke counties. 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 NWICA (800-826-7871).

$200–$675/yr

Starke 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. Starke County has 10 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) NWICA (Area 1 Agency on Aging) for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (219-794-1829). (3) NWICA Community Action + LCCS 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

Starke County hospital safety net: Starke = Northwest Health - Starke (Knox IN, CHS critical access) — the county anchor; same network as Porter/LaPorte. 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.nwhealthstarke.com/. Phone: 574-772-6231.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Starke: Starke = Northwest Health - Starke (Knox IN, CHS critical access) — the county anchor; same network as Porter/LaPorte. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Starke County's Area Agency on Aging is NWICA (Area 1 Agency on Aging) (Northwest Indiana Community Action). 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 (senior luncheons); caregiver support (NFCSP); transportation; and Energy Assistance + Weatherization. NWICA is one of Indiana's 16 AAAs, serving 7 Northwest Indiana counties. Apply by calling 219-794-1829 or 800-826-7871.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

Lake County Community Services (LCCS) provides curb-to-curb transportation for seniors and people with disabilities in Jasper, Newton, Pulaski, and Starke counties, including Starke County, with a general-public fare as well. Seniors and riders with disabilities pay $5.00 each way (unless subsidized); the general-public fare is $7.00 each way. Call (219) 663-3869 to schedule — reservations require 48 hours notice.

$500–$2,500/yr