Senior benefits in Scott County, Kansas

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

Scott 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

Scott County Hospital in Scott City has a Charity Care program. To apply, contact the hospital's Financial Counselor. To be eligible you must meet all of the hospital's rules, including: be an established patient of Scott City Clinic; turn in a completed Financial Assistance Application within 60 days of your procedure or discharge, with documents that verify your income; provide a denial notice from Kansas Medicaid within 90 days; and meet the federal poverty income guidelines for your family size and household income. You must also make payment arrangements with the Financial Counselor within 30 days of the first bill. Emergency care is never denied because of inability to pay. Call the Business Office at 620-872-5811.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Charity care is income-based and set by the hospital's own rules (including a Kansas Medicaid denial notice and being an established Scott City Clinic patient); the hospital makes the final award decision.

The Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging lists Scott County VIP Center in Scott City as a local transportation provider for Scott County. Call 620-872-3501 to ask about rides for older adults, how to schedule a trip, and any fare. Rides may need to be booked ahead, and service hours are set by the provider.

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