Senior benefits in Saline County, Kansas

The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging (NC-FH AAA) serves older Kansans, people living with disabilities, and family caregivers in Saline County and 17 other counties, with offices in Manhattan, Salina and Emporia. Friendship Meals are served at dining centers or delivered to homebound people age 60 and older, their spouses and disabled dependents, after a Kansas Uniform Assessment; the suggested voluntary contribution is $4.00 a meal. Other help includes long-term home care planning, free Medicare counseling (SHICK), help applying for Extra Help with drug costs, Senior Farmers Market coupons (a one-time $50 a year for people 60 and older who meet income limits), job help for people 55 and older, Section 8 housing vouchers, fall-prevention classes and a monthly caregiver call. Call 785-776-9294 or toll free 800-432-2703.

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

The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) has a service center in Saline County: the Salina Service Center at 901 Westchester Drive, Suite A, Salina, KS 67401 Phone: 785-826-8000. Kansas DCF handles Food Assistance (SNAP), Cash Assistance, Child Care Assistance and Utilities & Energy Assistance. You can apply online through the DCF self-service portal or call the DCF Benefits Assistance line at 1-888-369-4777.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Salina Regional Health Center has a Financial Assistance Program for people who need help paying their bill. Ask the Customer Service Department for an Application for Financial Assistance or download it; the hospital reviews your need once you return the form. Customer Service is at 333 S. Fourth Street, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 785-452-6299 or toll free 800-272-8790.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In Salina, OCCK Transportation runs the CityGo bus: $1 a trip, $2 for a one-day pass, $5 for a six-trip pass or $35 for a monthly pass; personal care attendants ride free. OCCK Regional Paratransit gives door-to-door rides to the general public, including seniors and people with disabilities, for $2 each way in Saline County. Inside Salina, paratransit riders must meet medical eligibility because CityGo buses serve the city. Salina paratransit runs 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Book by 4 p.m. the business day before. Call 785-826-1583 or toll free 1-855-577-4337.

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