Senior benefits in Lake County, Michigan
Seniors living in Lake County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, home energy costs, transportation, and more. The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults to Older Americans Act Services covering meals, in-home help, and other support. The Lake County Council on Aging offers Dial-A-Ride transportation for seniors and people with disabilities who need a ride to appointments or errands. If heating bills are a concern, emPower — TrueNorth Heat and Energy Assistance Program provides local energy help, and Corewell Health Reed City Hospital offers financial assistance for medical costs. State programs like the Michigan Home Heating Credit, MI Choice Waiver, Michigan Medicaid, and MMAP Medicare counseling may also apply. Veterans in the county may qualify for additional state programs. Dozens of federal programs are available here as well. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified — the program's 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
1-888-456-5664
See which of these Lake County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Lake 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 Lake County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Lake County. Start here.
Elder Services in Lake 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 (Lake County)
CountyThe Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is the Area Agency on Aging for Lake 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. Older 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 Lake County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
emPower Heat & Energy Assistance (TrueNorth / MEAP) — Lake County
CountyemPower, run by TrueNorth Community Services, is a Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) grantee serving Lake County. It helps low-income households with heating and electric bills, deliverable fuels, shutoff protection, and self-sufficiency planning. Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call emPower at 231-355-5880.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Lake County
Corewell Health Financial Assistance — Corewell Health Reed City Hospital (serving Lake County)
CountyLake County has no hospital of its own; the nearest is Corewell Health Reed City Hospital in neighboring Osceola County. Corewell Health offers financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care. Patients with household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level may receive free care, with sliding-scale discounts up to 400%. Apply within 240 days of the first bill by calling 1-877-687-7309.
Transportation in Lake County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
Lake County Council on Aging & Yates Dial-A-Ride — Senior & Disabled Transportation (Lake County)
CountyLake County seniors and people with disabilities have two ride options. The Lake County Council on Aging provides medical transportation to doctor appointments inside and outside the county for adults age 60 and over. Inside the county, Yates Dial-A-Ride offers curb-to-curb rides, with priority given to people with disabilities. Call the Council on Aging at 231-745-3843, or the Lake County dial-a-ride call center at 1-800-201-6446 to book a ride.
$200–$1,200/yr
In this county: Council on Aging medical rides serve adults 60 and over; Yates Dial-A-Ride is open to the public with people with disabilities given priority. Reserve ahead. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Lake 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 (Corewell Health Reed City Hospital)
Lake County Council on Aging
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Lake 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.