Senior benefits in Crawford County, Iowa

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Crawford County and 28 other counties in north central, northwest and central Iowa. Its services include information and assistance, options counseling, case management, congregate and home-delivered meals, nutrition counseling, falls prevention classes, family caregiver support (support groups, training and help finding respite care), help for grandparents and older relatives age 55 and up who are raising a child, elder abuse prevention, legal assistance on elder rights issues, and Medicare help. Meals can have a wait list. Elderbridge has offices in Mason City, Fort Dodge, Carroll and Spencer. Call 800-243-0678.

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

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. Help is based on household income, household size, fuel type and housing type. Applications open November 1 and end April 30. In Crawford County, West Central Community Action's outreach office at 147 N 7th in Denison handles utility assistance (it does not offer weatherization). It is open Tuesday and Thursday. Call 712-263-3538.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison has a charity care program based on federal poverty guidelines; patients who qualify have part of their bill reduced. Under its plain language summary, people whose gross family income is at or below 225% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can be eligible. Call a financial counselor at 712-265-2510, or call 712-265-2500 and ask for an application.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Western Iowa Transit (WIT), run by Region XII Council of Governments, offers door-to-door rides in Crawford County and the rest of its six-county area. Service is open to the general public, including people with disabilities, and is well suited to seniors. Schedule rides with the Carroll office at 712-792-9914 at least 24 hours ahead. Service runs Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. In-town rides are $8.00 one way and $16.00 round trip, with $8.00 for each added stop; out-of-town trips are quoted at $2.00 per mile. Riders using Medicaid should call the number on their insurance card to arrange a ride.

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

The Crawford County Veterans Affairs office is at the Community Services Center, 115 North 14th Street in Denison (lower level entrance; Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — call to make sure the service officer is in). The office helps veterans and their dependents get services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the State of Iowa and other agencies. It also handles the VA medical van, funeral expenses and grave markers, and Honor Flight. Call 712-263-2720.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year