Senior benefits in Forrest County, Mississippi

Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD) is the Area Agency on Aging for Forrest County and the rest of its 15-county South Mississippi area. Services offered in all its counties include home-delivered meals, homemaker help, respite care to give family caregivers a break, legal services, and information and referral. SMPDD also offers meals at community meal sites for people 60 or older, rides to services for people 60 or older, free Medicare counseling (the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP), an Alzheimer's Disease Program at no cost, and online and video training for family caregivers of people with dementia. Adult day care for people 60 or older is offered in Forrest County through HOL Family Life and Resources Center. Outreach workers in Forrest County contact older adults (60 and older) to find out what help they need. Some services need a screening by the Division of Aging and Adult Services. For referrals, call 228-868-2311 or toll free 800-444-8014.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home energy bills, and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) gives emergency help. In Forrest County, applications are handled by Pearl River Valley Opportunity, Inc. (PRVO), the local Community Action Agency. To apply, first send a pre-application through the Access MS web portal and mark "Community Services". The agency will then mail or email an appointment, and you finish the application in person. Households with a member who is elderly or disabled get priority, and their appointment should be within 30 business days. Households at or below 60% of the state median income may qualify. In Forrest County, call Pearl River Valley Opportunity, Inc. at 601-545-8110. Funding is limited.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,500 a year

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) office for Forrest County is at 1604 W Pine St, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Phone: 601-554-4350. MDHS county offices handle SNAP food benefits and TANF cash help. You can apply for SNAP online, or contact your local MDHS office for an application. The county office can also tell you what papers to send with your application, such as proof of identity, where you live, income and expenses. People age 60 or older, or who get SSI or disability benefits, can also show their medical bills. For help with an open SNAP or TANF case, call MDHS client services at 800-948-3050.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg is part of Forrest Health, which has a financial assistance policy for patients who cannot pay the full balance of their bill. Medically necessary and emergency care can get discounts or financial assistance based on your documented income and certain assets. The amount of help depends on your family's income, where it falls on the Federal Poverty Level, how much medical expense you owe, and whether you already get Medicaid or other social services. If you qualify but do not get 100% help, your balance is limited to the amount generally billed to all patients. Some services are not covered, including most physician services, home health, hospice and nursing home care. Call Forrest Health at 601-288-2032 or visit 6051 U.S. Highway 49 in Hattiesburg.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Charity care is income-based and set by the hospital's financial assistance policy; the hospital makes the final award decision. Ask Forrest Health whether a service at this hospital is covered.

Hub City Transit (HCT) runs city buses in Hattiesburg Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The regular fare is $.50, and senior citizens 62 and up ride for $.25, as do people with a disability ID and riders with an HCT ID and Medicare. HCT also offers door-to-door para-transit for people with mobility impairments who cannot use the regular buses; riders must apply and be found eligible, and you do not have to live inside Hattiesburg city limits. HCT has separate applications for senior citizens and for people with disabilities. Call 601-545-3356.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year

In this county: Fares, hours and para-transit eligibility are set by Hub City Transit; call ahead to confirm.