Senior benefits in Cass County, Iowa

Connections Area Agency on Aging serves older adults and family caregivers in 20 counties in southwest and western Iowa, including Cass County. Its Information and Assistance specialists and Options Counselors help people find and apply for benefits such as Medicare Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, SNAP food help and LIHEAP energy help. Other services include case management for people age 60 or older who need help with at least two daily activities (such as bathing or dressing) so they can stay at home, senior center meals and home-delivered meals for people 60 and older, caregiver support and respite options, free Medicare counseling through SHIIP, and Solution Options for Seniors (S.O.S.), which helps pay for home repairs or changes for people 60 and older who own their home or live with a caregiver. Call toll free 1-800-432-9209. The Council Bluffs office (231 S. Main St.) and Sioux City office (2301 Pierce St.) take walk-ins Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the Creston office (109 N. Elm St.) is by appointment.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

In Cass County, West Central Community Action (WCCA) takes applications for LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP helps qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay part of their main heating costs for the winter heating season. The amount is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and type of housing. Applications open November 1 and end April 30. Contact the WCCA Cass County Outreach Office at 304 Chestnut, Atlantic (phone 712-243-5421). Outreach offices also offer energy crisis help.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lists an office for Cass County at 601 Walnut Street, Atlantic. Phone: 712-243-4401 or toll free 877-455-3211. Iowa HHS says you can apply for SNAP food benefits and for Medicaid health coverage, including Medicaid for older adults and people with disabilities, at your local HHS office. You can also apply online through the Iowa HHS Benefits Portal, or apply for Medicaid by phone at 1-855-889-7985.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Cass Health is the hospital in Atlantic. No one is denied services because they cannot pay. A discounted, sliding fee schedule based on family size and income is available, and for people who meet the income guidelines, financial assistance pays part of the hospital charges. Download the Financial Assistance Packet (in English, Spanish or Chuukese) and send it to Cass Health, Patient Financial Services, 1501 E. 10th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022. Patient Financial Services can also help with payment plans of 6 to 36 months, with payments as low as $25 a month. Call (712) 250-8041 or email financialcounseling@casshealth.org.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) is the public transportation system for all residents of Cass County and seven other southwest Iowa counties. On-demand rides are available Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. (not on holidays), and all vehicles are handicapped accessible. SWITA taxi service runs in Atlantic (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday). In-town taxi rides cost $3.00 one way for the general public, or $2.50 for riders 60 and older with a Connections Area Agency on Aging form. Medical transportation costs $35 per hour. Call 1-800-842-8065 to schedule a ride.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year

The Cass County Commission of Veteran Affairs is the county veterans office. The Cass County Veterans Affairs Commission helps veterans discharged under honorable conditions and their family members apply for federal benefits, including disability compensation, pension, surviving spouse pension, aid and attendance, military records, VA health care, Iowa Veterans Home admission and headstones. It also helps honorably discharged Cass County veterans and their families with rent payments, utilities, food, medical and dental care, prescriptions, transportation, burial assistance and grave markers, subject to eligibility guidelines. Visit the office at the Cass County Courthouse, 5 West 7th Street, Atlantic (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), or call 712-243-6662.

Estimated cash: $200–$1,500 a year