Senior benefits in Douglas County, Kansas

Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging in Topeka serves Shawnee, Jefferson and Douglas counties, including Douglas County, and helps seniors live independent and dignified lives. Its CHAMPSS meal program lets people 60 and older choose from different meals at CHAMPSS locations seven days a week. In-home services help with daily living tasks through attendant care and homemaker services, plus personal emergency response and medication reminders. Jayhawk also gives information and referral for people 60 or older, people with physical disabilities or brain injury, and caregivers, and helps fund legal services. It can also help with caring for a loved one, nursing home or assisted living choices, housing, transportation, prescription costs and health insurance. Call 785-235-1367.

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

Kansas DCF (the Department for Children and Families) has a service center in Douglas County, in Lawrence at 1901 Delaware St., Lawrence, KS 66046. Phone: 785-832-3700. DCF runs Food Assistance (SNAP), cash assistance and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). LIEAP pays part of winter home heating costs once a year for households with gross income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. You can apply online through the DCF Self-Service Portal, or call DCF Benefits Assistance at 1-888-369-4777 for food, cash and child care assistance. LIEAP is open only during its winter application period; during that time you can apply online or ask your local DCF Service Center for a paper application.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

LMH Health (Lawrence Memorial Hospital), Douglas County's public hospital in Lawrence, lets every patient who gets a bill ask about financial assistance. Help may include charity care, payment plans, medical assistance or other programs. LMH Health also works with Elevate, a free service that helps people without health insurance look for funding such as Medicaid, Medicare, disability (SSDI/SSI), Veterans Administration programs and crime victim programs. To get an application or ask questions, call a financial counselor at 785-505-5775.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Lawrence Transit fixed-route buses and T Lift paratransit are free. Buses serve Lawrence city limits Monday to Saturday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. T Lift is a door-to-door, shared-ride service for riders who cannot use the fixed routes because of a disability; riders must be certified eligible, and trips are scheduled by calling 785-312-7054. For older adults across Douglas County, the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County gives rides to people age 60 and older, Monday to Friday, for $4.00 one way within Lawrence or $6.00 one way within Douglas County (adjusted for clients in need). A short application is required; call 785-727-7876 at least 48 hours ahead. For bus questions, call Lawrence Transit at 785-864-4644.

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