Senior benefits in Ingham County, Michigan
Seniors in Ingham County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, housing costs, food, transportation, and more. The Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA) is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults to Older Americans Act Services covering meals, in-home help, and other supports. Capital Area Community Services (CACS) offers Home Heating and Energy Assistance for those struggling with utility bills, and the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) provides discounted fares and Spec-Tran paratransit for older adults who need a ride. Seniors who received care at Sparrow Hospital may also want to ask about UM Health-Sparrow Financial Assistance. At the state level, programs like MI Choice Waiver, MMAP Medicare counseling, Michigan Home Heating Credit, and Michigan Caregiver Support may apply. Federal programs add even more options. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, but the agency behind each program makes the final eligibility decision.
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Local programs
17
Michigan programs
25
Federal programs
19
Categories
Last verified · September 26, 2026
Local starting point
Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA)
1-800-405-9141
See which of these Ingham County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Ingham 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 Ingham County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Ingham County. Start here.
Elder Services in Ingham County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Tri-County Office on Aging — Older Americans Act Services (Ingham County)
CountyTri-County Office on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Ingham County, including Lansing and East Lansing. Services include home-delivered and congregate meals, in-home and personal care, caregiver support, Medicare/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 1-800-405-9141 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Ingham County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — Capital Area Community Services (Ingham County)
CountyCapital Area Community Services, the Community Action Agency for Ingham County, helps income-eligible households with heat and electricity bills, shutoff protection, and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program. The first step is to apply for State Emergency Relief on MI Bridges; CACS staff can help. Apply through MI Bridges, dial 211 for referrals, or call the Lansing office at 517-393-7077.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Ingham County
UM Health-Sparrow Financial Assistance — Sparrow Hospital (Ingham County)
CountySparrow Hospital in Lansing offers financial assistance for medically necessary care to Ingham County residents who cannot afford to pay. Uninsured patients with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines may receive fully free care, with sliding-scale discounts up to 300% of the guidelines. Ask a financial counselor or call 517-364-6060 to apply.
Transportation in Ingham County
Programs here are typically worth $150–$900 a year to an eligible household.
CATA — Discounted Fares and Spec-Tran Paratransit for Older Adults and Riders with Disabilities (Ingham County)
CountyThe Capital Area Transportation Authority runs fixed-route buses across the Lansing and East Lansing area and Spec-Tran, an ADA paratransit service for riders who cannot use the regular buses. Riders age 62 and over, people with a disability, and Medicare card holders pay a discounted fare. Ask about discounted fares or reserve a Spec-Tran ride by calling 517-394-2282.
$150–$900/yr
In this county: Discounted fares require proof of age 62+, Medicare, or a qualifying disability; Spec-Tran requires an eligibility determination. Fares and service rules are set by CATA and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Ingham 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.
Capital Area Community Services (CACS)
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow (Sparrow Hospital, Lansing)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Ingham 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.