Senior benefits in Saginaw County, Michigan
Seniors in Saginaw County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday needs. Region VII Area Agency on Aging is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults to Older Americans Act Services covering meals, transportation, and more. The Saginaw County Community Action Committee offers Home Heating and Energy Assistance to help with utility costs, and STARS provides reduced-fare and paratransit rides for those who need them. Covenant HealthCare Financial Assistance may help with medical bills for qualifying residents. At the state level, programs like MI Choice Waiver, Home Help, MMAP Medicare counseling, and the Michigan Home Heating Credit add important layers of support. Federal programs — covering areas like food, prescription costs, and health coverage — also apply here. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. 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
Region VII Area Agency on Aging
1-800-858-1637
See which of these Saginaw County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Saginaw 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 Saginaw County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Saginaw County. Start here.
Elder Services in Saginaw County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Region VII Area Agency on Aging — Older Americans Act Services (Saginaw County)
CountyRegion VII Area Agency on Aging serves older adults in Saginaw County. Services include home-delivered and congregate meals, in-home and personal care, caregiver support, Medicare and 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 1-800-858-1637 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Saginaw County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — Saginaw County Community Action Committee (Saginaw County)
CountySaginaw County Community Action Committee delivers low-income energy assistance for Saginaw County, including emergency utility help, shutoff protection, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call SCCAC at 989-753-7741.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Saginaw County
Covenant HealthCare Financial Assistance (Saginaw County)
CountyCovenant HealthCare in Saginaw offers financial assistance, also called charity care, for emergency and medically necessary services. Help is based on family size and household income. Covenant financial counselors can help complete the application. Call 989-583-2959 to ask about qualifying.
In this county: Financial assistance is based on family size and household income. Include all required documentation; incomplete applications are not processed. The hospital makes the final determination. Not legal or financial advice.
Transportation in Saginaw County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
STARS — Reduced Fare & Lift Paratransit (Saginaw County)
CountySTARS runs fixed-route buses and STARS Lift, a curb-to-curb door service for people who cannot use fixed routes. Riders age 60 and over, people with disabilities, and Medicare card holders ride fixed routes at half fare with a STARS Silver or Gold card or Medicare card. Call 989-907-4000 for a card or 989-753-9526 to reserve a Lift ride.
$200–$1,200/yr
In this county: Half fare requires a STARS Silver/Gold card or Medicare card. STARS Lift is by appointment and prioritizes riders age 62+ and people with disabilities. Fares and rules are set by STARS and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Saginaw 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.
Saginaw County Community Action Committee (SCCAC)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Saginaw 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.