Senior benefits in Pratt County, Kansas

The Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA) serves older Kansans and people with disabilities in Pratt 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 Pratt County names local senior centers such as Pratt Senior Center. 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

Pratt County is in the Wichita Region of the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). DCF has a service center in Pratt, in Pratt County. 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

Pratt Regional Medical Center (PRMC) gives financial assistance for medically necessary care to patients whose family income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. If your household income is at or below 200%, the full bill is covered (100% adjustment). From 201% to 300%, you get a 75% adjustment. Uninsured hospital patients also get a 30% discount from gross charges. Financial assistance is used after insurance and government programs. You can apply during care or any time during billing. Send the application with proof of income, such as your most recent W-2 or tax return, to PRMC, Attn: Financial Assistance Determination, 200 Commodore St., Pratt, or bring it to the Financial Services office in the main lobby. You will get a decision within 14 business days after your complete application is received. Questions: call Customer Service at 620-302-1380 (hospital) or 620-450-1146 (clinic).

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Pratt County runs general public transportation for people of any age. Rides in the City of Pratt cost $1. Out-of-town rides cost more, for example $10 to Sawyer, Coats, Iuka or Byers, and $75 to Wichita, Dodge City, Hutchinson or Great Bend. Give 24 hours' notice if you can; rides are first come, first served. The bus does not run when roads are icy or snow packed. Call 620-672-7811.

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