Senior benefits in Shawnee County, Kansas

Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging in Topeka serves Shawnee, Jefferson and Douglas counties, including Shawnee County, and helps seniors live independent and dignified lives. Its CHAMPSS meal program lets people 60 and older choose from different meals at CHAMPSS locations seven days a week. In-home services help with daily living tasks through attendant care and homemaker services, plus personal emergency response and medication reminders. Jayhawk also gives information and referral for people 60 or older, people with physical disabilities or brain injury, and caregivers, and helps fund legal services. It can also help with caring for a loved one, nursing home or assisted living choices, housing, transportation, prescription costs and health insurance. Call 785-235-1367.

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

Kansas DCF (the Department for Children and Families) has a service center in Shawnee County, in Topeka at 500 SW Van Buren St., Topeka, KS 66603. Phone: 785-296-2500. DCF runs Food Assistance (SNAP), cash assistance and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). LIEAP pays part of winter home heating costs once a year for households with gross income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. You can apply online through the DCF Self-Service Portal, or call DCF Benefits Assistance at 1-888-369-4777 for food, cash and child care assistance. LIEAP is open only during its winter application period; during that time you can apply online or ask your local DCF Service Center for a paper application.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Stormont Vail Health in Topeka has a Financial Assistance Program for patients who cannot afford to pay for emergency or other medically necessary care. A patient who qualifies will not be charged more than the amounts generally charged to patients who have insurance. The policy, application, instructions and income guidelines are posted on the hospital's financial assistance page. For questions or to get help applying, call a Customer Service Representative at 785-354-1150 (toll free 800-637-4716); for Spanish, call 785-354-6000, option 2.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Topeka Metro buses offer reduced fares for people over age 65, people with a disability, Medicare recipients and people who meet income rules. With a Topeka Metro Reduced Fare ID card, a one-way ride is $1.00 (regular fare $2.00), a 24-hour pass is $2.00, a 10-ride card is $9.00 and a 31-day pass is $35.00. Fill out an application (there is one for people 65 and older) and show the ID card when you board. The first ID is free. Pick up applications at Quincy Street Station, 820 SE Quincy St., or call 785-783-7000 to have one mailed. The Lift is Topeka Metro's paratransit service; riders must be certified eligible first, and a one-way Lift ride is $4.00.

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