Senior benefits in Ontonagon County, Michigan
Seniors living in Ontonagon County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday needs. UPCAP / U.P. Area Agency on Aging is the local starting point for connecting older adults to services in this region. Through local programs like the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency Energy Assistance, On-Tran Senior & Disabled Transportation, and U.P. Food as Medicine Farm Market Vouchers, residents may find help with heating costs, getting around, and accessing fresh food. Aspirus Health Financial Assistance through Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital may also help with medical bills. State programs such as the Michigan Home Heating Credit, MI Choice Waiver Program, and MMAP Medicare Counseling offer additional layers of support. Veterans may qualify for Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Emergency Grants or other state veteran benefits. Federal programs also apply here. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
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Local programs
17
Michigan programs
25
Federal programs
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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 Ontonagon County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Ontonagon 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 Ontonagon County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Ontonagon County. Start here.
Elder Services in Ontonagon County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
UPCAP / U.P. Area Agency on Aging — Older Americans Act Services (Ontonagon County)
CountyUPCAP Services, Inc. is the U.P. Area Agency on Aging (Region 11) for Ontonagon 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 Ontonagon County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency — Energy Assistance (Ontonagon County)
CountyGogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency delivers home heating and utility assistance to low-income Ontonagon County households, including help with heating bills, deliverable fuels, and shutoff protection. Apply for state energy help (LIHEAP / State Emergency Relief) through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call 906-884-2106 to ask about local energy assistance.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Ontonagon County
Aspirus Health Financial Assistance — Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital (Ontonagon County)
CountyAspirus Ontonagon Hospital serves Ontonagon County. Aspirus Health offers financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care. Patients with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level may receive free care, with a sliding-scale discount between 201% and 300%. Call 1-866-972-1774 to ask about the application.
Nutrition in Ontonagon 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 (Ontonagon County)
CountyU.P. Food as Medicine gives Ontonagon 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 Ontonagon County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
On-Tran (Ontonagon County Public Transit) — Senior & Disabled Transportation (Ontonagon County)
CountyOn-Tran, Ontonagon County's public transit, has provided county-wide transportation since 1981. It offers on-demand (dial-a-ride) rides and fixed routes Monday through Friday, and every vehicle is wheelchair accessible. Older adults and people with disabilities can ride to medical appointments, shopping, and errands. Call 906-884-2006 to schedule.
$200–$1,200/yr
In this county: Service is open to the public and wheelchair-accessible; reserve ahead. Senior and disabled riders are a primary audience. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Ontonagon 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.
Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency
Aspirus Health (Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital)
UPCAP Services (Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Ontonagon 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.