Senior benefits in Wells County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Wells County residents is delivered through Brightpoint (the regional Community Action agency), the Community Action agency for northeast Indiana. 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 Brightpoint (260-423-3546).

$200–$675/yr

Wells 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; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (260-745-1200). (3) Brightpoint 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) Community Harvest Food Bank of NE Indiana. (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

Wells County hospital safety net: Wells = Bluffton Regional Medical Center (Lutheran Health Network) — 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 (Parkview, for example, covers up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level), and non-profit hospitals must offer one. Apply at the hospital financial counseling office or at https://www.lutheranhealth.net/locations/bluffton-regional-medical-center. Phone: 260-824-3210.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Wells: Wells = Bluffton Regional Medical Center (Lutheran Health Network) — the county anchor. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Wells County's Area Agency on Aging is Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana — Area 3 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 260-745-1200 or 800-552-3662.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

Wells on Wheels (WOW!), run by the Wells County Council on Aging, provides demand-response transportation throughout Wells County for everyone, regardless of age. Seniors age 60 and older ride within the county for a donation only. General-public fares are $2.00 within Bluffton and $5.00 elsewhere in the county; out-of-county medical trips run Tuesdays and Thursdays ($20 up to 30 miles, $50 for 31-50 miles). A $12 punch card sells for $10 at the Council on Aging office. Vans run Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; reserve 24 hours ahead at 260-824-4969 (toll-free 877-477-4969).

$500–$2,500/yr

In this county: Wells: open to everyone; riders 60+ pay only a donation in-county. Call 260-824-4969 a day ahead; out-of-county medical runs are Tuesdays and Thursdays.