Senior benefits in Barry County, Michigan
Seniors aged 65 and older in Barry County, Michigan, may qualify for more benefit programs than they realize. This page brings together local, state, and federal options in one place so you can quickly see what may be available to you or a loved one. Locally, CareWell Services Southwest serves as the Area Agency on Aging for this region and connects older adults to Older Americans Act Services covering meals, transportation, and more. Barry County Transit offers a Reduced-Fare Dial-A-Ride program for getting around, while the Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan can help with home heating costs through its energy assistance program. Corewell Health financial assistance is also available through Pennock Hospital for those who need help with medical bills. At the state level, programs like MI Choice Waiver, Michigan Caregiver Support, and the Michigan Home Heating Credit may apply. Federal programs add even more options. Every listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, though the administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
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Local programs
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Michigan programs
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Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · September 26, 2026
Local starting point
CareWell Services Southwest (Region 3-B Area Agency on Aging)
1-800-626-6719
See which of these Barry County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Barry 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 Barry County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Barry County. Start here.
Elder Services in Barry County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
CareWell Services Southwest — Older Americans Act Services (Barry County)
CountyCareWell Services Southwest, the Region 3-B Area Agency on Aging, serves older adults in Barry County. Services include home-delivered and congregate meals, in-home and personal care, caregiver support, Medicare/Medicaid counseling (MMAP), long-term care options counseling, and help applying for the MI Choice waiver. Older adults age 60 and over, and adults with disabilities, can call 1-800-626-6719 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Barry County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan (Barry County)
CountyThe Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan delivers low-income energy assistance for Barry County, including help with electric, natural gas, and deliverable-fuel bills and shutoff protection through the Michigan Energy Assistance Program. Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call 877-422-2726 to set up an appointment.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Barry County
Corewell Health Financial Assistance — Pennock Hospital (Barry County)
CountyCorewell Health Pennock Hospital in Hastings offers financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care. Free care is available for patients with household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, with sliding-scale discounts up to 400%. Ask a financial counselor or call 1-877-687-7309 to apply.
Transportation in Barry County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
Barry County Transit — Reduced-Fare Dial-A-Ride (Barry County)
CountyBarry County Transit offers door-to-door, advance-reservation rides across Barry County. Riders age 60 and over and people with disabilities qualify for reduced fares, starting at $1.00 for trips up to five miles. Reserve a ride by calling 269-948-8098.
$200–$1,200/yr
In this county: Reduced fares apply to seniors 60+ and people with disabilities. Fares and reservation rules are set by Barry County Transit and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Barry 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.
Corewell Health (Pennock Hospital)
CareWell Services Southwest (Region 3-B Area Agency on Aging)
Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan (CAASCM)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Barry 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.
