Senior benefits in Emmet County, Michigan
Seniors living in Emmet 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. Local programs also include Straits Regional Ride for senior and disabled transportation, NMCAA Energy Assistance to help with heating costs, and McLaren Financial Assistance through McLaren Northern Michigan for those who need help with medical bills. At the state level, programs like MI Choice Waiver, Home Help, Michigan Caregiver Support, and MMAP Medicare counseling may be available depending on your situation. Michigan veterans may also qualify for programs such as the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Emergency Grants or the Michigan Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption. On top of that, dozens of federal programs may apply as well. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, but 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
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan (AAANM)
1-800-442-1713
See which of these Emmet County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Emmet 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 Emmet County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Emmet County. Start here.
Elder Services in Emmet 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 (Emmet County)
CountyThe Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan is the Area Agency on Aging for Emmet County. Services include care management, home and community-based 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 1-800-442-1713 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Emmet County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
NMCAA Energy Assistance (LIHEAP / MEAP) — Emmet County
CountyThe Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) is the community action agency serving Emmet County. It helps low-income households with heating and electric bills, shutoff protection, weatherization, and energy self-sufficiency planning through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call NMCAA at 231-947-3780.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Emmet County
McLaren Financial Assistance — McLaren Northern Michigan (Emmet County)
CountyMcLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey serves Emmet County and offers financial assistance for emergency, catastrophic, and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on family size and income up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Apply within 240 days of the first billing statement; call a McLaren financial counselor at 1-844-321-1557 for help.
In this county: Financial assistance is based on family size and income up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Apply within 240 days of the first post-discharge billing statement. The hospital makes the final determination. Not legal or financial advice.
Transportation in Emmet County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
Straits Regional Ride — Senior & Disabled Transportation (Emmet County)
CountyStraits Regional Ride is the public bus service connecting Emmet, Cheboygan, and Presque Isle counties for rides to medical appointments, errands, and community life. Seniors age 60 and over and people with disabilities of any age can get non-emergency medical and community rides by scheduling at least 24 hours ahead. Call 1-866-731-1204 to book a ride.
$200–$1,200/yr
In this county: Rides are open to the public; riders age 60 and older, and riders with a completed SRR Special Services form (disability), pay half fare ($2 to $4 one way instead of $4 to $8, by distance). Schedule 24 hours ahead. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Emmet 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.
McLaren Health Care (McLaren Northern Michigan)
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan (AAANM)
Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Emmet 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.