Senior benefits in Grand Traverse County, Michigan
Seniors living in Grand Traverse County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs, health care, housing, and more. Locally, the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan connects older adults to Older Americans Act Services covering meals, transportation, and in-home support. Munson Healthcare Financial Assistance may help with medical bills for those who qualify. The Bay Area Transportation Authority offers reduced fares for eligible riders, and Home Heating and Energy Assistance through MDHHS State Emergency Relief can help keep utility costs manageable. At the state level, programs like MI Choice Waiver, Michigan Medicaid, MMAP Medicare counseling, and the Michigan Home Heating Credit are among the many options available. Veterans in the county may also qualify for Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Emergency Grants or property tax relief. Federal programs add even more layers of potential support. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The administering 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 · October 3, 2026
Local starting point
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan (Region 10)
1-800-442-1713
See which of these Grand Traverse County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Grand Traverse 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 Grand Traverse County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Grand Traverse County. Start here.
Elder Services in Grand Traverse County
Programs here typically provide services worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan — Older Americans Act Services (Grand Traverse County)
County · MichiganThe Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan serves older adults in Grand Traverse 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.
Estimated service value: $1,500–$6,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Grand Traverse County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,500 a year.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — MDHHS State Emergency Relief (Grand Traverse County)
County · MichiganHelp with heat and utility bills in Grand Traverse 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.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,500 a year
Healthcare in Grand Traverse County
Munson Healthcare Financial Assistance (Grand Traverse County)
County · MichiganMunson Healthcare offers financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care at its hospitals serving Grand Traverse 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.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Grand Traverse County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) — Reduced Fares (Grand Traverse County)
County · MichiganBATA provides fixed-route and door-to-door Dial-A-Ride bus service across Grand Traverse County. Riders age 60 and over, veterans, active military, and people with disabilities get 50% off fares with a reduced fare card or valid ID. Call 231-941-2324 to apply for a reduced fare card or schedule a ride.
Estimated service value: $200–$1,200 a year
Local agencies serving Grand Traverse 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)
Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Grand Traverse County and across the rest of Michigan. Full details are on the Michigan benefits page.
Caregiver Support
- Michigan Caregiver Support (Family Caregiver Services)State · Michiganabout $0/yrService valueOfficial source →
Emergency Aid
- Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Emergency GrantsState · MichiganOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- Michigan Home Heating CreditState · Michigan$100–$600/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- State Emergency Relief — Energy & Heat (LIHEAP) + MEAPState · Michigan$175–$1,200/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrCashOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Michigan Medicaid — Aged, Blind & Disabled (AD-Care)State · Michigan$4,000–$30,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- MI Coordinated Health (Medicare-Medicaid Integrated Plan, formerly MI Health Link)State · Michiganabout $0/yrService valueOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- MMAP — Michigan's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Medicare Counseling)State · Michiganabout $0/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Home Care
- Home Help Program (Medicaid Personal Care)State · Michigan$3,000–$20,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- MI Choice Waiver Program (Home & Community-Based Services)State · Michigan$10,000–$60,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (Michigan)State · Michigan$10,000–$80,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Michigan Veteran Homes (State Long-Term Care)State · MichiganOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Program (Michigan) — QMB / SLMB / QIState · Michigan$2,100–$8,000/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
Nutrition
- Senior Project FRESH / Market FRESH (Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program)State · Michiganabout $25/yrService valueOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- Michigan Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses for 100% Disabled VeteransState · MichiganOfficial source →
- Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Claims Assistance (Free VA Claims Help)State · MichiganOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federal$0–$1,125/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Michigan Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption (Full Homestead Exemption)State · Michigan$2,000–$5,200/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Michigan Homestead Property Tax CreditState · Michigan$100–$1,900/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrCashOfficial source →
Nearby counties
Local 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.