Senior benefits in Harvey County, Kansas

The Central Plains Area Agency on Aging in Wichita serves Butler, Harvey and Sedgwick counties, including Harvey County. It is also the area's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), a trusted place where older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers of any income can get help planning for long-term care. The ADRC can refer you to in-home, community-based and nursing home services, and its Options Counseling helps you decide what fits. The office is at 271 W. 3rd St. North, Suite 500, Wichita. Call the Area Agency on Aging at 316-660-5120 (toll free 800-367-7298).

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

Kansas DCF (the Department for Children and Families) has a service center in Harvey County, in Newton at 411 Washington Road, Newton, KS 67114. Phone: 316-283-3015. 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

NMC Health in Newton offers a Healthcare Assistance Program that gives eligible patients partly or fully discounted emergency or medically necessary care. To see if you qualify, fill out the Healthcare Assistance application, include all the documents the form asks for, and return it by mail (NMC Health PFS HCA Team, PO Box 308, Newton, KS 67114-0308), by fax, or by drop-off at the NMC Health Surgery Center basement, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you cannot pay your bill, a Patient Financial Advocate can also help you apply for Medicaid or disability benefits. Call Patient Financial Services at 316-804-6255, option 4 (toll free 800-811-3183, ext. 1951).

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Harvey Interurban, run by the Harvey County Department on Aging, gives bus or minivan rides to all Harvey County residents for shopping, medical and personal appointments, and recreation trips. Rides go to Wichita, Hutchinson or other places nearby, and medical trips can be booked up to one year ahead. Rides are filled first-call, first-served, and vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Standard fares are $12 inside Harvey County and $20 outside the county, with lower fares on an income-based discount card. Call 316-284-6802 (toll free 866-680-6802) to schedule.

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