Senior benefits in Kent County, Michigan
Seniors aged 65 and older in Kent County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, housing costs, food, transportation, and more. The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is a strong local starting point — it connects Kent County residents to Older Americans Act Services covering meals, in-home help, and caregiver support. Other local programs include Utility & Energy Assistance through Kent County Community Action, reduced-fare transit and paratransit rides through The Rapid's GO!Bus service, and financial assistance for hospital bills through Corewell Health. At the state level, programs like the Michigan Home Heating Credit, MI Choice Waiver Program, MMAP Medicare counseling, and Michigan Caregiver Support may also be available to qualifying residents. Dozens of federal programs apply here as well. Every listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, but the administering 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
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM)
1-888-456-5664
See which of these Kent County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Kent 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 Kent County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Kent County. Start here.
Elder Services in Kent County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan — Older Americans Act Services (Kent County)
CountyThe Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan serves older adults in Kent County. 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. Adults age 60 and over, and adults with disabilities, can call 1-888-456-5664 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Kent County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Utility & Energy Assistance — Kent County Community Action (Kent County)
CountyKent County Community Action helps Kent County residents with gas, electric, water/sewer, and deliverable-fuel bills and shutoff protection whenever funding is available. Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call Kent County Community Action at 616-632-7950.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Kent County
Corewell Health Financial Assistance — Grand Rapids Hospitals (Kent County)
CountyCorewell Health West runs the major hospitals in Kent County, including Butterworth and Blodgett in Grand Rapids. They offer financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care. Free care is available for Michigan residents with household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, with sliding-scale discounts up to 400%. Ask any financial counselor or call 1-833-261-4563 to apply.
Transportation in Kent County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
The Rapid — Reduced Fare & GO!Bus Paratransit (Kent County)
CountyThe Rapid runs fixed-route buses across Grand Rapids and nearby Kent County cities, plus GO!Bus curb-to-curb paratransit for riders who cannot use the regular bus. Riders age 65 and over, people with disabilities, and Medicare card holders qualify for reduced fares with a Rapid reduced-fare ID. Call 616-456-6141 to apply or to set up GO!Bus rides.
$200–$1,500/yr
In this county: Reduced fares require a Rapid reduced-fare ID. GO!Bus paratransit requires an eligibility application. Fares and service rules are set by The Rapid and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Kent 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.
Corewell Health (West Michigan)
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Kent 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.