Senior benefits in Alpena County, Michigan
Seniors in Alpena County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, housing costs, utilities, transportation, and more. A strong local starting point is Region 9 Area Agency on Aging, which connects older adults to Older Americans Act Services right here in the county. If you need help staying warm, the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency offers Heat & Utility Assistance for eligible residents. Getting around is easier with the Thunder Bay Transportation Authority's Dial-A-Ride Reduced Fare program, and MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena offers Patient Financial Assistance for those who qualify. Beyond these local resources, Michigan state programs such as the Michigan Home Heating Credit, MI Choice Waiver Program, MMAP Medicare counseling, and Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Emergency Grants may also apply. Dozens of federal programs are available here as well. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, but the agency behind each program makes the final eligibility decision.
4
Local programs
17
Michigan programs
25
Federal programs
19
Categories
Last verified · September 26, 2026
Local starting point
Region 9 Area Agency on Aging (Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, NEMCSA)
1-800-219-2273
See which of these Alpena County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Alpena 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 Alpena County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Alpena County. Start here.
Elder Services in Alpena County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Region 9 Area Agency on Aging — Older Americans Act Services (Alpena County)
CountyRegion 9 Area Agency on Aging, run by Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMCSA), serves older adults in Alpena County. Services include home-delivered and congregate meals, in-home and personal care, respite and caregiver support, Medicare and Medicaid counseling (MMAP), long-term care options counseling, and help applying for the MI Choice waiver. Adults age 60 and over, and adults with disabilities, can call 1-800-219-2273 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Alpena County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,205 a year to an eligible household.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — MDHHS State Emergency Relief (Alpena County)
CountyHelp with heat and utility bills in Alpena County comes from MDHHS State Emergency Relief, Michigan's LIHEAP program, which is applied for through MI Bridges. State Emergency Relief can pay toward a past-due electric, natural gas, propane or wood-heat bill and can stop a shutoff. In Alpena County the Michigan Energy Assistance Program partner is the Superior Watershed Partnership, at 906-273-2742; households in an energy crisis can apply to State Emergency Relief through MDHHS or directly to the Superior Watershed Partnership. Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMCSA, 989-358-4600) is still the Community Action agency here, but its services list now shows weatherization and water-bill help, not heat or utility bill payment. Dial 211 for other local help.
$200–$2,205/yr
Healthcare in Alpena County
MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena — Patient Financial Assistance (Alpena County)
CountyMyMichigan Medical Center Alpena offers patient financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care. No one is denied care for inability to pay, and a sliding-fee discount is available based on family size and income. Ask a financial counselor or call 1-844-832-1956 to request an application.
Transportation in Alpena County
Programs here are typically worth $150–$1,000 a year to an eligible household.
Thunder Bay Transportation Authority — Dial-A-Ride Reduced Fare (Alpena County)
CountyThunder Bay Transportation Authority runs the Dial-A-Ride curb-to-curb bus service in the Alpena area. Riders age 60 and over and people with disabilities qualify for the reduced half fare with an application on file, and riders age 90 and over ride free. Call 989-356-4596 to set up a reduced-fare card or book a ride.
$150–$1,000/yr
In this county: Half fare requires a completed reduced-fare application on file. Dial-A-Ride is funded by City of Alpena taxes and primarily serves the City of Alpena and surrounding areas; fares and rules are set by TBTA and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Alpena 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.
MyMichigan Health (MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena)
Thunder Bay Transportation Authority (TBTA)
Region 9 Area Agency on Aging (Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, NEMCSA)
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Alpena County and across the rest of Michigan. Full details are on the Michigan benefits page.
Caregiver Support
Emergency Aid
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- Michigan Home Heating CreditState$100–$600/yrOfficial source →
- State Emergency Relief — Energy & Heat (LIHEAP) + MEAPState$175–$1,200/yrOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrOfficial source →
Health Coverage
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- MMAP — Michigan's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Medicare Counseling)StateOfficial source →
Home Care
- Home Help Program (Medicaid Personal Care)State$3,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrOfficial source →
- MI Choice Waiver Program (Home & Community-Based Services)State$10,000–$60,000/yrOfficial source →
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (Michigan)State$10,000–$80,000/yrOfficial source →
- Michigan Veteran Homes (State Long-Term Care)StateOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Program (Michigan) — QMB / SLMB / QIState$2,100–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Nutrition
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- Michigan Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses for 100% Disabled VeteransStateOfficial source →
- Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Claims Assistance (Free VA Claims Help)StateOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federalup to $1,125/yrOfficial source →
- Michigan Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption (Full Homestead Exemption)State$2,000–$5,200/yrOfficial source →
- Michigan Homestead Property Tax CreditState$100–$1,900/yrOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrOfficial source →
Nearby counties
County 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.