Senior benefits in Stearns County, Minnesota
4
Local programs
11
Minnesota programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
Central Minnesota Council on Aging
1-320-253-9349
See which of these Stearns County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Stearns 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 Stearns County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Stearns County. Start here.
Elder Services
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Central Minnesota Council on Aging) — Stearns
CountyCentral Minnesota Council on Aging is the Minnesota Board on Aging's designated Area Agency on Aging for Stearns 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.
$200–$2,000/yr
Energy Assistance
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,400 a year to an eligible household.
Energy Assistance Program intake (Tri-County Action Programs) — Stearns
CountyTri-County Action Programs takes Minnesota Energy Assistance Program applications for Stearns 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 320-251-1612 to apply through the local provider.
$200–$1,400/yr
Healthcare
Hospital Financial Assistance (CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital) — Stearns
CountyUninsured and underinsured residents of Stearns County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital for emergency and medically necessary care. Free or discounted care is based on household income and size under the hospital's financial assistance policy.
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Tri-Cap Transit Connection) — Stearns
CountyTri-Cap Transit Connection provides public transit service for Stearns 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.
$150–$1,500/yr
Minnesota and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Stearns 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$100–$2,000/yrOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- Energy Assistance Program (EAP)State$200–$1,400/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 →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)State$300–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Medical Assistance for people 65+, blind, or disabled (MA)State$2,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
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 →
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 →
- Alternative Care program (home & community services for 65+)State$1,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- Elderly Waiver (home & community-based services)State$5,000–$30,000/yrOfficial 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 Programs (QMB / SLMB / QI)State$2,100–$5,200/yrOfficial source →
Supportive Services
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federalup to $1,125/yrOfficial source →
- Homestead Credit Refund (Homeowner's Property Tax Refund)State$100–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Citizens Property Tax DeferralState$200–$2,000/yrOfficial source →
- Renter's Credit (Property Tax Refund for Renters)State$100–$2,720/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 →
- MDVA Soldiers Assistance Program (veterans financial help)State$500–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.