Senior benefits in Clinton County, Michigan
Seniors aged 65 and older living in Clinton County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday needs. The Tri-County Office on Aging is a key local starting point, connecting older adults to services through the Older Americans Act. Clinton Transit, also known as The Blue Bus, offers reduced fares for older adults who need help getting around the county. Home heating costs may be easier to manage through Home Heating & Energy Assistance from Capital Area Community Services, and seniors receiving care at Sparrow Clinton Hospital may qualify for financial assistance through UM Health-Sparrow Financial Assistance. At the state level, programs like the Michigan Home Heating Credit, MI Choice Waiver Program, and MMAP Medicare counseling may provide additional support. Federal programs also apply here, covering areas like food, health coverage, and veterans' benefits. Each 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.
4
Local programs
17
Michigan programs
25
Federal programs
19
Categories
Last verified · September 26, 2026
Local starting point
Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA)
1-800-405-9141
See which of these Clinton County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Clinton 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 Clinton County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Clinton County. Start here.
Elder Services in Clinton County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Tri-County Office on Aging — Older Americans Act Services (Clinton County)
CountyTri-County Office on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Clinton 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 1-800-405-9141 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Clinton County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — Capital Area Community Services (Clinton County)
CountyCapital Area Community Services, the Community Action Agency for Clinton County, helps income-eligible households with heat and electricity bills, shutoff protection, and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program. The first step is to apply for State Emergency Relief on MI Bridges; CACS staff can help. Apply through MI Bridges, dial 211 for referrals, or call the St. Johns office at 989-224-6702.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Clinton County
UM Health-Sparrow Financial Assistance — Sparrow Clinton Hospital (Clinton County)
CountySparrow Clinton Hospital in St. Johns offers financial assistance for medically necessary care to Clinton County residents who cannot afford to pay. Uninsured patients with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines may receive fully free care, with sliding-scale discounts up to 300% of the guidelines. Ask a financial counselor or call 517-364-6060 to apply.
Transportation in Clinton County
Programs here are typically worth $100–$700 a year to an eligible household.
Clinton Transit (The Blue Bus) — Reduced Fare for Older Adults and Riders with Disabilities (Clinton County)
CountyClinton Transit, known as The Blue Bus, provides curb-to-curb public rides across Clinton County, including the St. Johns area. Riders age 60 and over and people with a disability defined under the ADA pay a reduced fare. Reserve a ride or ask about fares by calling 989-224-8127.
$100–$700/yr
In this county: Reduced fare requires proof of age 60+ or a qualifying disability. Fares and service rules are set by Clinton Transit and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Clinton 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.
Capital Area Community Services (CACS)
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow (Sparrow Clinton Hospital)
Clinton Area Transit System (Clinton Transit / The Blue Bus)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Clinton 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.