Senior benefits in Decatur County, Iowa

Connections Area Agency on Aging serves older adults and family caregivers in 20 counties in southwest and western Iowa, including Decatur 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 Decatur County, South Central Iowa Community Action Program (SCICAP) helps you apply for LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which can pay part of your winter heating costs if you meet income guidelines. The amount depends on income, family size, the type of fuel you heat with, and other factors. If you qualify, your heating and electric service is protected from disconnection through March 31. Households that heat with propane (LP) can get propane delivery. SCICAP takes applications starting October 1 for households with members age 60 or older or with disabilities; November 1 for all other income-eligible households. The regular application period ends April 30. Apply online, by mail, or at the Decatur County Outreach office at 306 N Main, Ste 1, Leon (open Monday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; phone 641-446-4454). If you have a disconnection notice, call right away.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lists an office for Decatur County at 207 NE Idaho Street, Leon. This office is by appointment only and is served by the Clarke County office in Osceola. Phone: 641-342-6516 or toll free 877-394-1439. 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

Decatur County Hospital in Leon offers financial assistance for medically necessary care to people who are uninsured, underinsured, not eligible for a government program, or otherwise unable to pay. Help is for residents of Decatur County or the nearby service area, and is offered up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Patients who qualify are not charged more than the amounts generally billed. To apply, complete the whole application and include a copy of your most recent tax return, proof of all income, your last 3 months of bank statements, and proof that you have tried other payment sources, including public aid. Call (641) 446-4871 (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday) for help.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Southern Iowa Trolley is the regional public transit system for Decatur County and six other south-central Iowa counties. It gives door-to-door weekday rides to the general public, including people with disabilities, and every vehicle is ADA accessible. In Decatur County, in-town rides are offered in Leon, and a Lamoni–Leon to Mt. Ayr trip runs daily (schedule 24 hours ahead). Main in-town service runs Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. (days and hours can change with driver availability). Seniors age 60 and older pay $3.00 per in-town ride (or $30.00 for a 12-ride ticket), and in-town rides on Fridays are $1.00. Before riding, seniors must fill out a Connections Area Agency on Aging intake form, which you can get from the driver or the office at 301 Industrial Parkway in Creston. Out-of-town trips start at $10.00 one way. To schedule a ride, call 641-782-6571 or toll free 866-782-6571.

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

The Decatur County Commission of Veteran Affairs is the county veterans office. The office helps all veterans and their family members apply for federal benefits such as disability compensation, pension, surviving spouse pension, aid and attendance, VA health care and Iowa Veterans Home admission, and state benefits such as the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund and property tax exemption. The Commission of Veterans Affairs also helps Decatur County veterans and family members discharged under honorable conditions with rent or mortgage payments, utilities, food, medical, dental and vision care, prescriptions, gasoline for medical treatment, burial assistance and grave markers, subject to eligibility guidelines. Visit the office at the Decatur County Courthouse, 207 N. Main Street, Leon (1st floor, southeast corner) (Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (appointments encouraged)), or call 641-446-7494.

Estimated cash: $200–$1,500 a year