Senior benefits in Benzie County, Michigan
Seniors living in Benzie County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday needs. The Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults to Older Americans Act Services right here in the county. Other local resources include Benzie Bus, which offers senior and reduced-fare rides, and Munson Healthcare Financial Assistance for those who need help with medical costs. If heating bills are a concern, the Home Heating & Energy Assistance through MDHHS State Emergency Relief may be able to help. Beyond these county-level programs, Michigan residents may also qualify for state programs such as MMAP Medicare counseling, the MI Choice Waiver Program, Michigan Home Heating Credit, and support through the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, among others. Federal programs add even more options for eligible seniors. Every program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
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Local programs
17
Michigan programs
25
Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · September 26, 2026
Local starting point
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan (Region 10)
1-800-442-1713
See which of these Benzie County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Benzie 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 Benzie County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Benzie County. Start here.
Elder Services in Benzie County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan — Older Americans Act Services (Benzie County)
CountyThe Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan serves older adults in Benzie County. Services include home-delivered and congregate meals, in-home and personal care, 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 1-800-442-1713 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Benzie County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — MDHHS State Emergency Relief (Benzie County)
CountyHelp with heat and utility bills in Benzie 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. Michigan Energy Assistance Program help in this county comes from MDHHS's statewide partners. Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency is still the Community Action agency here, but it now offers only weatherization and emergency home repair, not utility bill payment. Apply at MI Bridges or call MDHHS at 1-844-464-3447.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Benzie County
Munson Healthcare Financial Assistance (Benzie County)
CountyMunson Healthcare offers financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care at its hospitals serving Benzie County, with Munson Medical Center in Traverse City as the regional hospital. Free care (100% discount) is available for patients with family income at or below 249% of the federal poverty level, and a 75% discount for income from 250% to 400%. Ask a financial counselor or call 231-935-2350 to apply.
Transportation in Benzie County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
Benzie Bus — Senior & Reduced-Fare Rides (Benzie County)
CountyBenzie Bus provides door-to-door Dial-A-Ride service across Benzie County. Riders age 60 and over who live in Benzie County can ride free through the Senior Transportation Program; people with disabilities and other riders qualify for reduced fares. Call 231-525-0600 to join the senior ride list or book a ride.
$200–$1,200/yr
In this county: Free rides for Benzie County residents age 60+ are provided through the Senior Transportation Program as funds allow; reduced fares apply otherwise. Fares and rules are set by Benzie Transportation Authority and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Benzie 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.
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan (Region 10)
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Benzie 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.