Senior benefits in Des Moines County, Iowa

Milestones Area Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Des Moines County and 16 other counties in southeast Iowa. It helps older Iowans live safely and on their own at home. Services include information and assistance, options counseling, case management, nutrition programs such as home-delivered meals and Milestones Community Cafés, caregiver support (including respite care information and support groups), health and wellness classes, elder abuse prevention, and free SHIIP Medicare counseling. Home-delivered meals are for people age 60 and older (and their spouse of any age) who live where the meals are offered. Call the toll-free line at 855-410-6222. Offices are in Davenport (4440 Brady St., 563-324-9085), Burlington (509 Jefferson Street, 319-752-5433) and Ottumwa (635 E. Pennsylvania Ave.).

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

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps Iowa homeowners and renters with low income pay part of their main heating costs for the winter. In Des Moines County, Community Action of Southeast Iowa takes LIHEAP applications. People age 60 and over or with a disability can call for an appointment starting the first business day of October; other households start in November. Applications are taken until April 30, and you can also apply online from November 1. If you have a disconnect notice, contact your local center right away. Call or visit the Burlington Area Community Action Center at 700 Jefferson Street, Burlington, phone 319-753-2893.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has an office for Des Moines County at 3535 Agency Street, Suite 102, Burlington. Phone: 319-754-4622. 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

Great River Health does not deny anyone services because they cannot pay, and it has a discounted/sliding fee schedule based on family size and income. Insured and uninsured patients getting medically necessary or emergency care may qualify. Patients with no insurance who qualify cannot be charged more than the amount generally billed to people with insurance. Return the completed application to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center-West Burlington Patient Billing Department, 1221 S. Gear Ave., West Burlington. For questions, call Patient Financial Services at 319-768-3625, option 2.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

SEIBUS (Southeast Iowa Bus) is the regional public transit system for Des Moines County, with door-to-door rides open to the general public, including people with disabilities. In Des Moines County, general public rides run Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Rides must be booked no later than 2:00 p.m. the day before. SEIBUS also runs a medical shuttle to Iowa City hospitals on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Fares are $3.00 one way in town, $9.00 town to town or county to county, and $20.00 one way on the medical shuttle; monthly passes cost $36.00 (in town) or $108.00 (county to county). Call the SEIBUS scheduler at 1-866-753-5107 and select option 1. In Burlington and West Burlington, Burlington Urban Service (BUS) runs city buses six days a week, including hourly service to Great River Medical Center; the cash fare is $1.25 (call 319-753-8162).

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

Des Moines County Veterans Affairs, set up under Chapter 35B of the Code of Iowa, serves veterans with other than a dishonorable discharge who served at least 90 days in a row on active duty, plus their spouses and dependent children. Money help can be given to veterans in need for rent, utilities, clothing, medical treatment, food and funerals. Staff also help file for VA pension and compensation, apply to the Iowa Veterans Home, get military records, medals and headstones, and apply for education and home loan benefits. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1:00 p.m.); appointments take priority. Call 319-752-7171.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year