Senior benefits in Franklin County, Mississippi

The Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District (SWMPDD) is the Area Agency on Aging for Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln, Pike, Walthall and Wilkinson counties, including Franklin County. Area Agencies on Aging help older adults get services such as home-delivered meals, congregate meals at senior nutrition sites, senior centers, homemaker help, transportation and legal assistance. The office is at 100 South Wall Street, Natchez. Call (601) 446-6044 or toll free 1-800-338-2049.

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

AJFC Community Action Agency takes LIHEAP applications for Franklin County. The Meadville office is at 38 Walnut St., Meadville. Phone: (601) 384-5577. LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) helps pay home energy bills, and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) helps in an energy emergency. A household typically qualifies with income at or below 60% of the state median income for its size and an energy bill due. Households with elderly or disabled members get priority. To apply, submit a pre-application online through the Common Web Portal on Access MS and mark "Community Services". The agency will then send you an appointment to finish the application in person; if you are elderly or disabled, expect the appointment within 30 business days. The yearly benefit can be up to $1,500.

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

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) county office for Franklin County is at 90 Mill Rd. Phone: 601-384-5837. Email: dfo.franklincounty@mdhs.ms.gov. MDHS runs SNAP, which gives monthly food benefits on an EBT card to people with low income, including older adults and people with disabilities. If everyone in the household is 65 or older and no one earns money from work, MDHS uses a shorter form, the SNAP Simplified Application for the Elderly (ESAP, form MDHS EA 904). People who get SSI may get SNAP through the Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP). Contact the county office to ask what documents to send with your application. Medicaid for older adults is handled by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid, not MDHS.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Rural public transit in Franklin County is part of MDOT's SMART regional transit group. Rides here are provided by Claiborne County Human Resource Agency (based in Port Gibson). These are demand-response rides you schedule ahead, open to the general public, and used by seniors and people with disabilities to get to doctor's appointments, the grocery store and other places. Many vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Call the SMART regional group at 601-445-7568 to find the provider for your area and ask about fares and how to book.

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