Senior benefits in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota
Seniors living in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, housing costs, food, energy bills, and more. Locally, the Central Minnesota Council on Aging connects older adults to services and support right in the area. Lakes and Pines Community Action Council handles Energy Assistance Program intake for residents who need help paying heating costs. Tri-Cap Transit Connection offers public and Dial-a-Ride transit options for getting around the county. Seniors who need hospital care may find financial help through M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center in Princeton. At the state level, programs like Medical Assistance, the Elderly Waiver, Alternative Care, Medicare Savings Programs, and property tax relief options may be available depending on your situation. Federal programs — including Extra Help with Medicare drug costs and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program — may apply as well. Each program listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
4
Local programs
11
Minnesota programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · October 3, 2026
Local starting point
Central Minnesota Council on Aging
1-320-253-9349
See which of these Mille Lacs County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Mille Lacs 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 Mille Lacs County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Mille Lacs County. Start here.
Elder Services in Mille Lacs County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Central Minnesota Council on Aging) — Mille Lacs
County · MinnesotaCentral Minnesota Council on Aging is the Minnesota Board on Aging's designated Area Agency on Aging for Mille Lacs County. It administers Older Americans Act services for adults 60 and over and family caregivers — benefits counseling, caregiver support, home-delivered and congregate meals, chore and homemaker help, and local aging services. Call 320-253-9349 or Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly the Senior LinkAge Line) at 800-333-2433 to get connected.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Mille Lacs County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,400 a year.
Energy Assistance Program intake (Lakes and Pines Community Action Council) — Mille Lacs
County · MinnesotaLakes and Pines Community Action Council takes Minnesota Energy Assistance Program applications for Mille Lacs County residents — help paying heating bills, crisis help, and emergency furnace repair. Household income must be at or below 50% of the state median income (see the statewide Energy Assistance record for details). The heating season program runs October 1 through May 31. Call 320-679-1800 to apply through the local provider.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,400 a year
Healthcare in Mille Lacs County
Hospital Financial Assistance (M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center (Princeton)) — Mille Lacs
County · MinnesotaUninsured and underinsured residents of Mille Lacs County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center (Princeton) for emergency and medically necessary care. Free or discounted care is based on household income and size under the hospital's financial assistance policy.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Mille Lacs County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Tri-Cap Transit Connection) — Mille Lacs
County · MinnesotaTri-Cap Transit Connection provides public transit service for Mille Lacs County riders under MnDOT's Greater Minnesota / metro transit program — typically dial-a-ride or deviated-route buses usable for medical appointments, shopping, and errands. Reduced fares for seniors and ADA paratransit vary by system. Call 320-251-1612 to schedule a ride or ask about senior fares.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Mille Lacs 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.
M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center (Princeton)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center (Princeton))
Central Minnesota Council on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Central Minnesota Council on Aging)
Lakes and Pines Community Action Council (local EAP service provider)
Runs: Energy Assistance Program intake (Lakes and Pines Community Action Council)
Tri-Cap Transit Connection
Runs: Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Tri-Cap Transit Connection)
Minnesota and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Mille Lacs County and across the rest of Minnesota. Full details are on the Minnesota benefits page.
Elder Services
- Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly Senior LinkAge Line)State · Minnesota$100–$2,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- Energy Assistance Program (EAP)State · Minnesota$200–$1,400/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)State · Minnesota$300–$3,500/yrCashOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Medical Assistance for people 65+, blind, or disabled (MA)State · Minnesota$2,000–$15,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Alternative Care program (home & community services for 65+)State · Minnesota$1,000–$15,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Elderly Waiver (home & community-based services)State · Minnesota$5,000–$30,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB / SLMB / QI)State · Minnesota$2,100–$5,200/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federal$0–$1,125/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Homestead Credit Refund (Homeowner's Property Tax Refund)State · Minnesota$100–$3,500/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Senior Citizens Property Tax DeferralState · Minnesota$200–$2,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Renter's Credit (Property Tax Refund for Renters)State · Minnesota$100–$2,720/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrCashOfficial source →
- MDVA Soldiers Assistance Program (veterans financial help)State · Minnesota$500–$5,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Nearby counties
Local 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.