Senior benefits in Seward County, Kansas

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

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

Southwest Medical Center (SWMC) in Liberal, the Seward County public hospital, has financial counselors who can tell you about financial assistance or help you set up payment arrangements. Contact a financial counselor before or during your hospital stay at 620-629-6235. SWMC does not finance charges or fees, and payment is due 30 days after your insurance is billed, so ask about help early.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The City of Liberal runs City Bus, with three bus routes in Liberal, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. A one-way ride costs $1, or 50 cents for people age 60 or older, people with disabilities and people with low income. People 60 and up can show an ID or driver's license to get the half fare, and a half-fare rider can buy an unlimited monthly pass for $15. People certified under the ADA as having a disability that keeps them from riding the buses can use City Bus Paratransit On-Demand Service within 3/4 mile of the routes; rides cost $2 one way. Call 620-626-0100.

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