Senior benefits in Marquette County, Michigan
Seniors in Marquette County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday needs like food, heat, transportation, medical costs, and more. UPCAP Services, Inc. — the U.P. Area Agency on Aging — is the local starting point for connecting with many of these programs. Through UPCAP, older adults can access Older Americans Act Services and the U.P. Food as Medicine Farm Market Vouchers program. Marq-Tran offers reduced-fare bus and door-to-door rides for those who need help getting around the county. Community Action Alger-Marquette provides home heating and energy assistance, as well as Supportive Services for Veteran Families. UP Health System offers financial assistance for eligible patients at local hospitals. State programs such as Michigan Caregiver Support, MI Choice Waiver, and MMAP Medicare counseling are also available here, along with dozens of federal programs. Each program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
6
Local programs
17
Michigan programs
25
Federal programs
20
Categories
Last verified · September 26, 2026
Local starting point
UPCAP Services, Inc. (U.P. Area Agency on Aging, Region 11)
1-800-338-7227
See which of these Marquette County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Marquette 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 Marquette County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Marquette County. Start here.
Elder Services in Marquette County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
U.P. Area Agency on Aging (UPCAP) — Older Americans Act Services (Marquette County)
CountyUPCAP, the Area Agency on Aging for all 15 Upper Peninsula counties, serves older adults in Marquette 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 1-800-338-7227 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Marquette County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — Community Action Alger-Marquette (Marquette County)
CountyCommunity Action Alger-Marquette delivers low-income energy assistance for Marquette County, including help with heating and electric bills, shutoff protection, and home weatherization. Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call 906-228-6522.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Marquette County
UP Health System Financial Assistance — UPHS-Marquette & UPHS-Bell (Marquette County)
CountyUP Health System hospitals in Marquette County (UPHS-Marquette and UPHS-Bell in Ishpeming) offer financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care. Free or discounted care is based on household income measured against the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and qualifying patients are charged no more than amounts generally billed to insured patients. Call the Marquette Business Office at 906-449-1400 to apply.
In this county: Free or discounted care is income-based, measured against the Federal Poverty Guidelines; qualifying patients are charged no more than amounts generally billed (AGB). The hospital makes the final determination. Not legal or financial advice.
Housing Assistance in Marquette County
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) — Marquette and Alger Counties
CountySSVF helps veterans and their families who are homeless or close to it. It can pay a security deposit, short-term rent, or overdue utility bills, and can put you up in a hotel in an emergency. A case manager works with you and can help you get other benefits — health care, transport — that stop you losing your housing. Call to arrange an assessment.
In this county: You must be a veteran or a veteran's family, have household income below 50% of the Area Median Income for your county, and be either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless — all three. The 50%-AMI figure varies by county and household size. This is short-term, crisis-focused help, not ongoing rent support, and it depends on the grantee's funding.
Nutrition in Marquette County
Programs here are typically worth $300–$300 a year to an eligible household.
U.P. Food as Medicine (Prescription for Health) — Farm Market Vouchers (Marquette County)
CountyU.P. Food as Medicine gives Marquette County adults who are at risk for or living with a chronic health condition vouchers to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at participating Upper Peninsula farm markets. Each voucher is worth $5, and participants get $15 a week during the 20-week market season — about $300 a season, mailed monthly. A doctor or clinic in the program's partner network sends the referral; a call specialist then completes enrollment. Ask your health-care provider for a referral, or dial 2-1-1.
$300/yr
Transportation in Marquette County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
Marq-Tran — Reduced-Fare Bus & Door-to-Door Rides (Marquette County)
CountyMarq-Tran runs fixed routes and door-to-door rides across Marquette County. Riders age 60 and over, people with disabilities, students, and veterans with a valid ID pay half fare. Door-to-door trips are scheduled in advance; call dispatch at 906-225-1112 to book a ride.
$200–$1,200/yr
In this county: Half fare requires valid ID. ADA-paratransit riders may reserve further ahead. Fares and reservation rules are set by Marq-Tran and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Marquette 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 Alger-Marquette (AMCAB)
UP Health System (UPHS-Marquette, UPHS-Bell)
Community Action Alger-Marquette (CAAM), a VA SSVF grantee
UPCAP Services (Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Marquette 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.
