Senior benefits in Jackson County, Michigan
Seniors in Jackson County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs, health care, housing, and more. WellWise Services, Area Agency on Aging is a key local starting point — it connects older adults to Older Americans Act Services right here in the county. Other local resources include JATA Reserve-A-Ride for affordable curb-to-curb transportation, Home Heating and Energy Assistance through the Community Action Agency (CAAJLH), and financial assistance for medical bills through Henry Ford Health Financial Assistance at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital. At the state level, programs like MI Choice Waiver, MMAP Medicare counseling, Michigan Home Heating Credit, and Michigan Caregiver Support may also be available to you. A broad set of federal programs applies here as well. 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
WellWise Services, Area Agency on Aging (Region 2)
1-800-335-7881 or 517-592-1974
See which of these Jackson County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Jackson 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 Jackson County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Jackson County. Start here.
Elder Services in Jackson 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 (Jackson County)
CountyWellWise Services, the Area Agency on Aging for Region 2, serves older adults in Jackson 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 Jackson County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — Community Action Agency (CAAJLH) (Jackson County)
CountyThe Community Action Agency serving Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale counties (CAAJLH) delivers low-income energy assistance for Jackson 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 Jackson County
Henry Ford Health Financial Assistance — Henry Ford Jackson Hospital (Jackson County)
CountyHenry Ford Jackson Hospital (formerly Henry Ford Allegiance Health) offers financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care. Free care is available to lower-income patients, with sliding-scale discounts for higher incomes. Ask any financial counselor or call 517-205-4800 to apply.
In this county: Henry Ford reports that in 2025, households under about 204% of the federal poverty level qualified for free care and households under about 322% qualified for discounted care; thresholds are updated each year. The hospital makes the final determination. Not legal or financial advice.
Transportation in Jackson County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
JATA Reserve-A-Ride — Curb-to-Curb Rides for Seniors and People with Disabilities (Jackson County)
CountyThe Jackson Area Transportation Authority (JATA) runs Reserve-A-Ride, a curb-to-curb service across Jackson County for adults age 60 and over and people with disabilities who cannot use the fixed-route buses. Seniors and riders with disabilities also pay a reduced fare on regular buses with a half-fare card. Call JATA at 517-787-8363 to apply or reserve a ride.
$200–$1,200/yr
In this county: Reserve-A-Ride is for seniors 60+ and people with disabilities who cannot ride fixed-route buses; service days and fares are set by JATA and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Jackson 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)
Henry Ford Health (Henry Ford Jackson Hospital)
WellWise Services, Area Agency on Aging (Region 2)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Jackson 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.