Senior benefits in Pocahontas County, Iowa

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Pocahontas 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) makes a one-time payment to your heating company to help with winter heating costs, no matter what fuel you use. In Pocahontas County, Upper Des Moines Opportunity (UDMO) takes applications at its outreach office at 406 NW 7th Street in Pocahontas; call 712-335-3335 for an appointment. Households with a member age 60 or older, a disabled member, or a crisis can apply starting October 1; everyone else can apply November 1 through April 30. Both homeowners and renters can qualify. Approved households are also protected from gas or electric shut-off during the winter moratorium, November 1 through April 1. Applying for LIHEAP also signs you up for weatherization.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

Pocahontas Community Hospital has a financial assistance program for people who cannot afford their bill. You may be eligible if you were denied by Title 19 (Medicaid), do not meet its requirements, or live in the Pocahontas County market area and meet income guidelines. Call the business office at 712-335-3501, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

MIDAS Council of Governments runs the regional public transit system for Pocahontas County and five nearby counties. It is a demand-response service open to the general public, including people with disabilities, and all vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Call dispatch at 515-573-8145 the day before your trip; rides run Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. With at least a day's notice, the fare is $2.50 each way for adults and $2.00 for students and seniors (with an approved senior sheet); same-day rides, when the schedule allows, are $3.50 and $3.00.

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

The Pocahontas County Veterans Affairs office is at 99 Court Square, Suite 1 in Pocahontas (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). The office helps veterans and their dependents who live in Pocahontas County get the county, state and federal benefits they may be entitled to. Call for an appointment. Call 712-335-3270.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year