Senior benefits in Shiawassee County, Michigan
Seniors aged 65 and older in Shiawassee County, Michigan, may qualify for a wide range of benefit programs — from federal assistance to state and local support. The Valley Area Agency on Aging serves as a key local starting point, connecting older adults to Older Americans Act Services covering meals, in-home help, and more. Getting around is easier with SATA Senior and Disability Rides, provided by the Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency. If heating bills are a concern, Home Heating and Energy Assistance through State Emergency Relief and MEAP may help, and Memorial Healthcare Financial Assistance is available for those facing medical costs at Memorial Healthcare in Owosso. State programs here include the Michigan Home Heating Credit, MI Choice Waiver Program, MMAP Medicare counseling, and several veterans' benefits. Dozens of federal programs also apply. Every listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified — but the administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
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Local programs
17
Michigan programs
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Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · September 26, 2026
Local starting point
Valley Area Agency on Aging (Region 5)
1-800-978-6275
See which of these Shiawassee County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Shiawassee 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 Shiawassee County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Shiawassee County. Start here.
Elder Services in Shiawassee County
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Valley Area Agency on Aging — Older Americans Act Services (Shiawassee County)
CountyValley Area Agency on Aging serves older adults in Shiawassee 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. Older adults age 60 and over, and adults with disabilities, can call 1-800-978-6275 to ask what help is available.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Shiawassee County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — State Emergency Relief and MEAP (Shiawassee County)
CountyIncome-eligible Shiawassee County households can get help with heat, electricity, and shutoff protection through State Emergency Relief and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program. The first step is to apply for State Emergency Relief on MI Bridges. Apply through MI Bridges, dial 211 for the local energy-assistance provider, or contact the Salvation Army MEAP program for the area.
$200–$1,500/yr
Healthcare in Shiawassee County
Memorial Healthcare Financial Assistance — Memorial Healthcare Owosso (Shiawassee County)
CountyMemorial Healthcare in Owosso offers financial assistance for patients who may not be able to pay for part or all of their care. Help is based on income, assets, and financial need. Ask a financial counselor or call customer service at 989-720-2000 for the financial assistance application and policy.
In this county: Financial assistance is based on income, assets, and financial need as set in Memorial Healthcare's policy. The hospital makes the final determination. Not legal or financial advice.
Transportation in Shiawassee County
Programs here are typically worth $150–$900 a year to an eligible household.
SATA Senior and Disability Rides — Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency (Shiawassee County)
CountyThe Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency runs accessible bus service across Shiawassee County from Owosso. Through an agreement with the Shiawassee Council on Aging, county seniors age 60 and over ride free Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Riders with disabilities also use the accessible service. Reserve a ride the day before by calling 989-729-2687 or toll-free 1-877-667-7100.
$150–$900/yr
In this county: Free senior rides run weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. under the Shiawassee Council on Aging agreement and require day-before reservation. Fares and service rules are set by the Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Shiawassee 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.
Memorial Healthcare (Owosso)
Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency (SATA)
Valley Area Agency on Aging (Region 5)
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (State Emergency Relief)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Shiawassee 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.