Senior benefits in Gratiot County, Michigan
Seniors in Gratiot County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, home energy costs, transportation, and more. Region VII Area Agency on Aging is a key local starting point, connecting older adults to Older Americans Act Services right here in the county. EightCAP offers Home Heating & Energy Assistance for those struggling with utility bills, and Alma Transit provides a Reduced Fare Dial-A-Ride option for getting around. Residents who need help with medical costs may want to look into MyMichigan Medical Center Alma Financial Assistance. State programs like the Michigan Home Heating Credit, MI Choice Waiver Program, and MMAP Medicare counseling add another layer of support. Federal programs also apply, covering areas like prescription costs, food assistance, and veterans' benefits. Every 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
Region VII Area Agency on Aging
1-800-858-1637
See which of these Gratiot County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Gratiot 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 Gratiot County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Gratiot County. Start here.
Elder Services in Gratiot 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 (Gratiot County)
CountyRegion VII Area Agency on Aging serves older adults in Gratiot 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 1-800-858-1637 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Gratiot County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — EightCAP (Gratiot County)
CountyEightCAP, Inc. delivers low-income energy assistance for Gratiot County, including emergency utility help, weatherization, and shutoff protection. Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call EightCAP toll-free at 1-866-754-9315.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Gratiot County
MyMichigan Medical Center Alma Financial Assistance (Gratiot County)
CountyMyMichigan Medical Center Alma offers a Patient Financial Assistance Program so no one is denied medically necessary care for inability to pay. Help is a discount or sliding-fee schedule based on family size and income for residents in the health system's service area. Call 1-844-832-1956 or speak with a financial counselor to apply.
Transportation in Gratiot County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
Alma Transit — Reduced Fare Dial-A-Ride (Gratiot County)
CountyAlma Transit Center runs curb-to-curb dial-a-ride service in the Alma area of Gratiot County. Riders age 65 to 74 pay a reduced fare, riders 75 and over ride free, and people with disabilities pay a reduced fare. Call 989-463-6016 to schedule a ride.
$200–$1,200/yr
In this county: Reduced fare applies to riders 65-74 and people with disabilities; riders 75+ ride free. Alma Transit primarily serves the Alma area of Gratiot County; fares are set by the City of Alma and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Gratiot 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.
MyMichigan Health (MyMichigan Medical Center Alma)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Gratiot 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.