Senior benefits in Hillsdale County, Michigan
Seniors in Hillsdale County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday needs. WellWise Services, Area Agency on Aging is the local starting point for connecting older adults to services in this area. Through WellWise and other local resources, residents may find help with transportation through Hillsdale Dial-A-Ride (DART), which offers half-fare rides for seniors and people with disabilities. Hillsdale Hospital Financial Assistance may help with medical costs, and the Community Action Agency, Jackson Lenawee Hillsdale (CAAJLH) offers home heating and energy assistance. State programs such as the Michigan Home Heating Credit, MI Choice Waiver Program, and MMAP Medicare counseling are also available here. Federal programs covering health, food, and financial support apply as well. This page lists each program with 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
WellWise Services, Area Agency on Aging (Region 2)
1-800-335-7881
See which of these Hillsdale County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Hillsdale County. Start here.
Elder Services in Hillsdale County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
WellWise Services, Area Agency on Aging — Older Americans Act Services (Hillsdale County)
CountyWellWise Services, the Area Agency on Aging for Region 2, serves older adults in Hillsdale 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 1-800-335-7881 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Hillsdale County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — Community Action Agency (CAAJLH) (Hillsdale County)
CountyThe Community Action Agency serving Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale counties (CAAJLH) delivers low-income energy assistance for Hillsdale County, including help with electric, natural gas, and deliverable-fuel bills, shutoff protection, and home weatherization. Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call CAAJLH at 1-800-491-0004.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Hillsdale County
Hillsdale Hospital Financial Assistance (Hillsdale County)
CountyHillsdale Hospital offers financial assistance and charity care for low-income, uninsured, or underinsured patients with hospital bills. Discounts are based on the federal poverty level. Call a financial counselor at 517-437-5222 to ask for an application.
In this county: Discounts are determined using the federal poverty level. Liquid asset limits apply (about $7,500 for a single person and $15,000 for a family), insurance must be exhausted first, and elective procedures do not qualify. The hospital makes the final determination. Not legal or financial advice.
Transportation in Hillsdale County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,000 a year to an eligible household.
Hillsdale Dial-A-Ride (DART) — Half-Fare Rides for Seniors and People with Disabilities (Hillsdale County)
CountyDial-A-Ride Transportation (DART) provides curb-to-curb public rides in the Hillsdale area for trips such as doctor visits, the grocery store, and meals. Residents age 60 and over and people with disabilities ride at half the regular fare. Call 517-437-3385 to schedule a ride.
$200–$1,000/yr
In this county: Half fare for seniors 60+ and people with disabilities is set by the City of Hillsdale and can change. DART mainly serves the City of Hillsdale; ask about coverage to your address. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Hillsdale 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.
Community Action Agency, Jackson Lenawee Hillsdale (CAAJLH)
City of Hillsdale Dial-A-Ride Transportation (DART)
WellWise Services, Area Agency on Aging (Region 2)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Hillsdale 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.