Senior benefits in Clare County, Michigan
Seniors in Clare County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, housing costs, energy bills, transportation, and more. Region VII Area Agency on Aging is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults to Older Americans Act Services right here in the county. Mid Michigan Community Action offers Home Heating & Energy Assistance for those struggling with utility costs, and Clare County Transit provides reduced-fare curb-to-curb rides for getting to appointments and errands. MyMichigan Medical Center Clare has a financial assistance program that may help with medical bills. State programs available here include Michigan Medicaid options, the MI Choice Waiver Program, Medicare Savings Programs, and support for veterans and family caregivers, among others. Dozens of federal programs also apply in Clare County. Every program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The administering agency always 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 VII Area Agency on Aging
1-800-858-1637
See which of these Clare County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Clare 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 Clare County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Clare County. Start here.
Elder Services in Clare County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Region VII Area Agency on Aging — Older Americans Act Services (Clare County)
CountyRegion VII Area Agency on Aging serves older adults in Clare 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. Adults age 60 and over, and adults with disabilities, can call 1-800-858-1637 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Clare County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — Mid Michigan Community Action (Clare County)
CountyMid Michigan Community Action (MMCAA) delivers low-income energy assistance for Clare County, including help with electric, natural gas, and deliverable-fuel bills and shutoff protection. Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call the Clare County (Farwell) office at 989-386-3805.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Clare County
MyMichigan Health Financial Assistance — MyMichigan Medical Center Clare (Clare County)
CountyMyMichigan Medical Center Clare (MyMichigan Health) offers a Patient Financial Assistance Program for emergency and medically necessary care. A sliding-fee discount is available based on family size and income, and no one is denied needed care for inability to pay. Ask a financial counselor or call 1-844-832-1956 to apply.
Transportation in Clare County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
Clare County Transit — Reduced-Fare Curb-to-Curb Rides (Clare County)
CountyClare County Transit Corporation runs countywide curb-to-curb bus service. Riders age 60 and over, people with a mobility disability, and Medicare card holders qualify for a reduced fare with a Reduced Fare Card. Call dispatch at 989-539-1473 to schedule a ride.
$200–$1,200/yr
In this county: Reduced fare requires a Reduced Fare Card (Medicare card holders skip the doctor's signature). Fares and rules are set by Clare County Transit and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Clare 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.
Mid Michigan Community Action (MMCAA)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Clare 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.