Senior benefits in Jackson County, Kansas

The Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging (NEKAAA) in Hiawatha serves Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Marshall, Nemaha and Washington counties, including Jackson County. It helps people live on their own in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Services include group (congregate) meals, home-delivered meals, transportation, case management, in-home services, information and assistance, health promotion programs and volunteer opportunities. The office is at 1803 Oregon, Hiawatha. Call 785-742-7152 (toll free 800-883-2549).

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

Kansas DCF (the Department for Children and Families) does not list a service center in Jackson County. The closest DCF service centers are in Topeka (500 SW Van Buren St., Topeka, KS 66603; phone 785-296-2500) and Hiawatha (912 S. Morrill Ave., Hiawatha, KS 66434; phone 785-742-7186). 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

Holton Community Hospital offers financial assistance for emergency, urgent and medically necessary care at the hospital and its Holton, Hoyt and Wetmore family medicine clinics. Help uses a sliding scale based on household income and the federal poverty level (FPL): at or below 100% of the FPL you may get a 100% discount, and from 100% to 200% of the FPL a discount of 10% to 75%. Help may also be available for people found to be medically indigent. If you qualify, you will not be charged more than the amounts generally billed to people with insurance. Download the application, pick one up at Registration or the Business Office (1110 Columbine Drive, Holton), or call 785-364-2116 to request one. For help filling it out, call the Business Office at 785-364-9658.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

NEKAAA General Public Transportation gives first-come, first-served, origin-to-destination rides to people of all ages and abilities in Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson and Nemaha counties, including Jackson County. Call 24 to 48 hours ahead if you can; same-day rides may be possible depending on cancellations. All rides are scheduled through dispatch at 785-742-7153. Have your name, address, birthdate, phone number, trip date and time, and pickup and drop-off places ready when you call.

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