Senior benefits in Kiowa County, Kansas

The Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA) serves older Kansans and people with disabilities in Kiowa County and 27 other counties in southwest Kansas. Its services include case management, help paying for in-home care (such as personal care, homemaker, respite and chore services), information and assistance, free Medicare counseling (SHICK), caregiver support, and Friendship Meals at meal sites or delivered to people who are homebound. Friendship Meals are for people 60 and older and their spouses. SWKAAA also does the CARE assessment that everyone must have before entering a nursing home. SWKAAA's resource list for Kiowa County names local senior centers such as Kiowa County Sr. Center in Greensburg. Call the main office in Dodge City at 620-225-8230 (toll free 1-800-742-9531), Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

Kiowa County is in the Southwest Region of the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). Service centers in DCF's Southwest Region include Dodge City, Garden City, Great Bend and Liberal. Through DCF you can apply for SNAP Food Assistance, TANF Cash Assistance and LIEAP Energy Assistance. Applying online through the DCF Self-Service Portal is recommended. For a paper application, visit your local DCF office or call 1-888-369-4777. LIEAP helps pay winter heating costs and is open only during its yearly application period. KanCare health coverage is not handled by DCF; apply for it through the KanCare Self-Service Portal.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Kiowa County Memorial Hospital in Greensburg offers financial assistance to patients who cannot pay for emergency or medically necessary care. Help is for patients who are uninsured or underinsured, and partial or full help is based on your ability to pay. The hospital looks at your income (using federal poverty level guidelines), family size, assets, insurance and other ways to pay. You must turn in tax returns, bank statements and pay stubs with the application. Help covers care at the hospital and Greensburg Family Practice only, not travel, food, lodging, medical equipment or prescriptions. Call the Business Office at 620-723-3341 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or visit 721 West Kansas, Greensburg.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging lists Haviland Cares in Haviland as a local transportation provider for Kiowa County. Call 620-862-5267 to ask about rides for older adults, how to schedule a trip, and any fare. Rides may need to be booked ahead.

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