Senior benefits in Van Buren County, Iowa

Milestones Area Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Van Buren 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 pay part of your winter heating costs if you meet income guidelines. In Van Buren County, Sieda Community Action takes LIHEAP applications. Households with a member over age 60 or a disabled member can apply starting October 1; all others can apply starting November 1, and applications end on the last working day of April. If you are found eligible, your heating and electric service is protected from shut-off through April 1. Crisis help for utility bills is available all year. Call or visit the Sieda Neighborhood Resource Center at 902 4th Street, Keosauqua, phone 641-640-9773.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lists an office for Van Buren County at 406 Dodge St, Keosauqua. This office is by appointment only and is served by the Jefferson County office in Fairfield. For food and Medicaid applications (income maintenance), call 641-684-3999; for social services, call 641-472-5011. 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

Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua does not deny anyone services because they cannot pay, and it has a discounted/sliding schedule based on family size and income. If you cannot pay for your health care, ask for a Financial Assistance Program application, fill it out, and give the hospital information about your finances; you may get a discount on your account. Call the business office at 319-293-3171 (ext. 8722 or 8739), Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

10-15 Transit is the public transit system for Van Buren County and nine other southern Iowa counties. Rides are open to anyone, including people with disabilities, for nearly any purpose, such as grocery shopping, medical and dental visits, meal sites, work or personal business. Demand-response rides run about 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. based on driver availability. Fares are $2 within city limits, $4 in the county, and $25 county to county. Call 641-683-2024 or toll-free 800-227-6390 to set up a ride.

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

Van Buren County Veterans Affairs, at 404 Dodge St., Keosauqua, gives short-term county help to qualifying county veterans and helps veterans get state and federal veterans benefits. Staff are state and nationally accredited. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 319-293-3793.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year