Senior benefits in Rush County, Kansas
Not in Kansas? Rush County, Indiana
Seniors in Rush County, Kansas, and the family members who help them, have several places to turn for benefit help. A good first step is the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging, the local starting point for senior services and caregiver support. The Kansas DCF benefits office serves Rush County and can help with programs like Kansas Food Assistance (SNAP). Rush County Public Transportation can help with getting to appointments and errands. Kansas also offers help with property tax refunds, in-home care through the Senior Care Act, KanCare, Medicare Savings Programs, and free Medicare counseling through SHICK. Veterans may find added help through the Kansas Office of Veterans Services. Federal programs apply here too, including food and health coverage help. The page below lists each program with its official source and the date it was last verified. Keep in mind that the agency that runs each program makes the final eligibility decision.
3
Local programs
19
Kansas programs
26
Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · October 23, 2026
Local starting point
Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA)
1-620-225-8230 (toll free 1-800-742-9531)
See which of these Rush County programs you may qualify for.
Discover my benefitsHelping others? Print the Rush County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Rush County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Rush County. Start here.
Elder Services in Rush County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging) — Rush
County · KansasThe Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA) serves older Kansans and people with disabilities in Rush 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 Rush County names local senior centers such as Sixty Plus Senior Center in LaCrosse and Bison 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
General Assistance in Rush County
Kansas DCF benefits office — Rush
County · KansasRush 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
Transportation in Rush County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Rush County Public Transportation — Rush
County · KansasRush County Public Transportation, based in La Crosse, serves all of Rush County, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides go to business, medical, shopping and meal trips. In-town trips in La Crosse cost $2, and trips elsewhere in Rush County cost $5. The bus goes to Hays every Tuesday and to Great Bend the last Tuesday of the month for $8. Rides are first come, first served, and out-of-town trips are by appointment. Give 24 hours' notice to cancel. Call 785-222-3537. Sunflower Diversified Services also runs a weekday Rush County route (620-792-7797, $3 one way).
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Rush County
Who runs the county programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.
Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging)
Rush County Public Transportation
Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF)
Kansas and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Rush County and across the rest of Kansas. Full details are on the Kansas benefits page.
Money & income2 programs
Cash paid to you, and emergency help when money runs short.
Health & Medicare costs8 programs
Medicaid, Medicare savings, and help with drug and doctor bills.
- Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas (QMB, LMB, ELMB)
- KanCare (Kansas Medicaid) for people who are aged (65+), blind, or disabled
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)
- Qualifying Individual (QI)
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
- Community Health Center Sliding Fee Discount
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Food6 programs
SNAP (food stamps), meals, and farmers market coupons.
Home, bills & taxes12 programs
Help with heating and electric bills, rent, property taxes, and home repairs.
- Kansas Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP): Energy Assistance
- Kansas Homestead Refund for disabled veterans (Form K-40H, 50%+ service-connected)
- Kansas Disabled Veteran Sales Tax Exemption (100% or TDIU, up to $24,000 of purchases a year)
- Kansas Homestead Refund (Form K-40H): property tax refund for homeowners 55+, disabled, or blind
- Kansas income tax: Social Security and public pensions are not taxed
- Kansas SAFESR Property Tax Relief for Low Income Seniors (Form K-40PT): 75% property tax refund for 65+
- Kansas Property Tax Relief for Seniors and Disabled Veterans (Form K-40SVR): property tax freeze refund
- Federal Lifeline
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Care at home & long-term care7 programs
Help staying in your home, nursing home alternatives, and support for family caregivers.
- KanCare Frail Elderly (FE) HCBS waiver: in-home care instead of a nursing home
- Kansas Senior Care Act (SCA) in-home services for people 60 and older
- Kansas Soldiers' Home (Fort Dodge): nursing, dementia, domiciliary care, and cottages for veterans
- Kansas Veterans' Home (Winfield): nursing, dementia, and assisted-living care for veterans
- Kansas family caregiver support through the Area Agencies on Aging
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)
Help, advice & legal7 programs
Free counseling, legal help, rides, and other senior services.
- SHICK: Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (free Medicare counseling)
- Kansas free permanent hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans (30%+)
- Kansas State Veterans' Cemeteries (Fort Dodge, Fort Riley, WaKeeney, Winfield)
- Kansas Office of Veterans Services: free help with VA claims from Veteran Service Representatives
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
Veterans3 programs
Benefits for veterans and their surviving spouses.
Nearby counties
Local programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.