Senior benefits in Linn County, Iowa

Heritage Area Agency on Aging, in Cedar Rapids, is the Area Agency on Aging for Linn County. Its services include information and referral, options counseling, case management, caregiver support, home-delivered meals for homebound adults 60 and older and their spouses, nutrition counseling, balance and fall-prevention classes, senior farmers market checks, and an elder rights program for abuse, neglect and exploitation. Meal sites in Linn County: Brownstone Lunch Club in Cedar Rapids (319-398-3574), Falcon Civic Center in Central City (319-438-6691) and Encore Café in Cedar Rapids and Marion (319-398-2585). Services are offered on a contribution basis to adults 60 and older and their caregivers. Call 319-398-5559 (toll free 800-332-5934).

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

LIHEAP (the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) gives a one-time payment toward winter heating bills for households with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Households with someone 60 or older or disabled can apply starting October 1; everyone else can apply starting November 1, and applications close April 30. In Linn County, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) takes LIHEAP applications. HACAP's Linn County Urban Office is at 1328 2nd Ave SE in Cedar Rapids (319-366-7632), and its Inn Circle Office is at 5560 6th St SW in Cedar Rapids (319-366-7631). Applications for households with someone 60 or older or disabled cannot be done online; mail them to the local HACAP office. If you have a disconnect notice, are at 30% or less on deliverable fuel, or your furnace does not heat, contact the office right away.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lists an office for Linn County at Linn County Community Services Building, 1240 26th Avenue Court SW, Cedar Rapids. Phone: 319-451-1640 or toll free 866-534-3112. 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

Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids gives free care to insured and uninsured patients whose family income is less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, and discounted care on a sliding scale for family income between 200% and 400%. Uninsured patients get a 40% reduction with no application needed (not for cosmetic or flat-rate services), and payment plans are available. To apply, complete the Financial Assistance Application. Call a financial counselor at 319-369-4505 (phone hours 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). Linn County's other hospital, UnityPoint Health – St. Luke's Hospital, has its own financial assistance program.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Cedar Rapids Transit runs city buses in Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha. Seniors 65 and older ride free by showing proof of age or a CR Transit Senior Free Fare ID Card. People with a disability ride free with a CR Transit Disabled Free Fare ID Card, and Medicare passengers also qualify for free fares. Linn County LIFTS, at 625 31st Avenue SW in Cedar Rapids, gives rural dial-a-ride service in Linn County for the general public and paratransit rides in Cedar Rapids for people who prequalify. For bus fares call Cedar Rapids Transit at 319-286-5573; for LIFTS call 319-892-5170.

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

Linn County Veteran Services, at the Community Services Building, 1240 26th Avenue Court SW in Cedar Rapids, helps veterans, their dependents and survivors apply for federal, state and local benefits. Its nationally accredited County Veteran Service Officers provide all services free of charge, and the county runs a veterans Emergency Assistance Program. Hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (doors lock at 3:45 p.m.); appointments are strongly encouraged. Services are also available by phone, email, mail and drop box. Call 319-892-5160.

Estimated cash: $200–$1,500 a year