Senior benefits in Mason County, Michigan
Seniors living in Mason County, Michigan, may qualify for more benefit programs than they realize. This page brings together local, state, and federal options in one place so you can quickly see what may be available. Locally, the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan connects Mason County residents to Older Americans Act Services covering meals, in-home help, and more. Corewell Health Ludington Hospital offers financial assistance for medical costs, and the Ludington Mass Transportation Authority runs a Senior & Disabled Dial-A-Ride service for getting around the area. The emPower Heat & Energy Assistance program through TrueNorth can help with home energy costs. At the state level, programs like the Michigan Home Heating Credit, MI Choice Waiver Program, and MMAP Medicare counseling may apply. A range of federal programs also covers this county. Each listing below includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring 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 Mason County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Mason 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 Mason County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Mason County. Start here.
Elder Services in Mason 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 (Mason County)
CountyThe Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is the Area Agency on Aging for Mason 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 Mason County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
emPower Heat & Energy Assistance (TrueNorth / MEAP) — Mason County
CountyemPower, run by TrueNorth Community Services, is a Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) grantee serving Mason 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 Mason County
Corewell Health Financial Assistance — Corewell Health Ludington Hospital (Mason County)
CountyCorewell Health Ludington Hospital serves Mason County and 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 or visiting Corewell Health's financial-assistance page.
Transportation in Mason County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
Ludington Mass Transportation Authority — Senior & Disabled Dial-A-Ride (Mason County)
CountyThe Ludington Mass Transportation Authority runs dial-a-ride bus service across Mason County for rides to medical appointments, errands, work, and community life. Riders age 60 and over can use the Senior Rides program, and seniors and people with disabilities get reduced fares after filling out a Reduced Fare Application. Call Senior Rides at 231-845-6218 or general scheduling at 231-845-1231 to book.
$200–$1,200/yr
In this county: Rides are open to all county residents; seniors (60+) and people with disabilities receive reduced fares after completing a Reduced Fare Application. The Senior Rides program serves ages 60+ countywide based on availability. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Mason 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 Ludington Hospital)
Ludington Mass Transportation Authority (LMTA)
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Mason 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.