Senior benefits in Hinds County, Mississippi

The Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD) is the Area Agency on Aging for Copiah, Hinds, Madison, Rankin, Simpson, Warren and Yazoo counties, including Hinds County. Its services include adult day care, case management, emergency response systems, emergency services, homemaker services, information and referral, legal services, the long-term care ombudsman program, congregate meals at senior centers, home delivered meals, Mississippi Access to Care (MAC), outreach, respite for caregivers, State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Medicare counseling, the Senior Community Service Employment Program, and transportation. All services require that the person be 60 years and older or disabled, and each person is screened by an assessor. The office is at 1020 Centre Pointe Blvd, Pearl. Call (601) 981-1511.

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

Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) takes LIHEAP applications for Hinds County. After the online pre-application, HCHRA holds a LIHEAP orientation every Saturday (except holidays) at 8:45 a.m. at 258 Maddox Rd., Jackson. Call (601) 923-3950 for appointments. HCHRA makes special provisions for homebound, elderly and disabled people. 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 Hinds County is at 4777 Medgar Evers Blvd. Phone: 601-362-9892. Email: dfo.hindscounty@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

The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson is the state's public academic hospital. Its financial assistance program offers free or reduced-cost care for medically necessary services, based on family size and income, even if you have health insurance. Apply with the UMMC Financial Assistance Application and supporting documents: by mail, through MyChart, during your hospital stay, or in person at the Health Care Benefit Office, Room H144, 2500 North State Street, Jackson. Call a UMMC Health Care Benefit Coordinator at (601) 815-9430 for help or to be screened by phone.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Financial assistance is set by UMMC's policy; UMMC makes the final award decision.

JTRAN is the City of Jackson's public bus system. Seniors age 60+, Medicare cardholders and people with disabilities ride for a discount fare of $0.75 one way or $2 for a 1-day pass (ID required); the regular adult fare is $1.50. JTRAN Paratransit is a curb-to-curb ride for people whose disability keeps them from using the regular buses. Apply with the paratransit application form, which includes a medical certification; if approved, you get a Paratransit ID card. Paratransit trips cost $3 one way, must start and end within 0.75 miles of a JTRAN bus route, and must be reserved at least 1 day ahead by calling 601-952-1000, Option 2, or with the Ecolane app. JTRAN does not run on Sundays. Outside Jackson, Hinds County Human Resource Agency and other rural providers offer demand-response rides.

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

In this county: Paratransit eligibility is decided by JTRAN. Fares and service can change; call JTRAN to confirm.