Senior benefits in Genesee County, Michigan
Seniors aged 65 and older in Genesee County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, housing costs, food, transportation, and more. The Valley Area Agency on Aging serves as a key local starting point, connecting older adults to services under the Older Americans Act. Other county-level programs include Home Energy & Utility Assistance through GCCARD, the Hurley Financial Assistance Discount Program at Hurley Medical Center, and reduced-fare transit options through MTA Reduced Fare and Rides to Wellness. At the state level, programs like the Michigan Home Heating Credit, MI Choice Waiver Program, MMAP Medicare counseling, and Michigan Caregiver Support may provide additional help. Dozens of federal programs also apply here. Every program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, but the administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision. Use this page to explore what you or your loved one may qualify for.
4
Local programs
17
Michigan programs
25
Federal programs
19
Categories
Last verified · September 26, 2026
Local starting point
Valley Area Agency on Aging (Region 5)
1-800-978-6275
See which of these Genesee County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Genesee 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 Genesee County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Genesee County. Start here.
Elder Services in Genesee County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Valley Area Agency on Aging — Older Americans Act Services (Genesee County)
CountyValley Area Agency on Aging serves older adults in Genesee 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. Older adults age 60 and over, and adults with disabilities, can call 1-800-978-6275 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Genesee County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Home Energy & Utility Assistance — GCCARD (Genesee County)
CountyThe Genesee County Community Action Resource Department helps income-eligible households with heating, electricity, and shutoff protection through the Michigan Energy Assistance Program and weatherization. The first step is to apply for State Emergency Relief on MI Bridges; GCCARD staff can help. Apply through MI Bridges, dial 211 for referrals, or call the GCCARD assistance hot-line at 810-768-4675.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Genesee County
Hurley Financial Assistance Discount Program — Hurley Medical Center (Genesee County)
CountyHurley Medical Center, the public hospital in Flint, offers a Financial Assistance Discount Program that reduces or forgives bills for emergency and medically necessary care for patients who meet income criteria. Discounts are based on the federal poverty guidelines and household income. Ask a financial counselor or call 810-262-9260, option 5, to apply.
In this county: Hurley's Financial Assistance Discount Program uses the federal poverty guidelines and household income on a sliding scale. Applications are considered for 240 days after the first post-discharge statement. The hospital makes the final determination. Not legal or financial advice.
Transportation in Genesee County
Programs here are typically worth $150–$900 a year to an eligible household.
MTA Reduced Fare and Rides to Wellness — Older Adults and Riders with Disabilities (Genesee County)
CountyThe Mass Transportation Authority runs fixed-route buses, the curb-to-curb Your Ride service, and the Rides to Wellness medical-trip program across Genesee County around Flint. Riders age 65 and over, Medicare card holders, and people with a disability pay a reduced fare with an MTA Reduced Fare card. Call customer service at 810-767-0100 for fares and the Reduced Fare card, or 810-780-8946 for Rides to Wellness medical trips.
$150–$900/yr
In this county: Reduced fare requires an MTA Reduced Fare card with proof of age, Medicare, or disability. Fares and service rules are set by the Mass Transportation Authority and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Genesee 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.
Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCCARD)
Hurley Medical Center
Mass Transportation Authority (MTA Flint)
Valley Area Agency on Aging (Region 5)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Genesee 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.