Senior benefits in Tipton County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Tipton County residents is delivered through Area Five Agency on Aging & Community Services (Community Action), which is both the Area 5 AAA and 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), with a Crisis benefit for imminent disconnection. Apply through the Indiana EAP client portal (in.gov/ihcda) or Area Five (574-722-4451).

$200–$675/yr

Tipton 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. Tipton County has 6 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) Area Five Agency on Aging for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (574-722-4451). (3) Area Five Community Action for EAP utility help. (4) The county hospital Financial Assistance Programs for healthcare. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities. (6) Local food pantries and food banks serving North Central Indiana. (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

Tipton County hospital safety net: Tipton = IU Health Tipton Hospital (IU Health critical access) — the county anchor. 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://iuhealth.org/find-locations/iu-health-tipton-hospital. Phone: 765-675-8500.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Tipton: Tipton = IU Health Tipton Hospital (IU Health critical access) — the county anchor. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Tipton County's Area Agency on Aging is Area Five Agency on Aging (Area 5) (Area Five Agency on Aging & Community Services). 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; Energy Assistance + Weatherization; and home modifications. Area Five is a combined AAA + Community Action Agency and one of Indiana's 16 AAAs. Apply by calling 574-722-4451 or 800-654-9421.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

Tipton County Public Transit, run by the Encore Lifestyle and Enrichment Center, provides demand-response, curb-to-curb rides for anyone of any age in the Tipton County area, with trips into surrounding counties (Howard, Hamilton, Madison, Grant). Donations are accepted for riders over 60; riders 59 and younger pay low mileage-based fees. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; reserve at least 24 hours ahead (72 hours preferred): 765-675-4746 ext. 3.

$500–$2,500/yr

In this county: Tipton: open to everyone; riders over 60 pay only a donation. Call 765-675-4746 ext. 3 at least a day ahead (three days preferred).