Senior benefits in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County. The Brookhaven office is at 127 North 1st St, Brookhaven. Phone: (601) 833-6349. 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 Lincoln County is at 300 East Chickasaw St. Phone: 601-833-3311. Email: dfo.lincolncounty@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

King's Daughters Medical Center (KDMC) in Brookhaven has a Financial Assistance Program that gives discounts based on income to patients with limited income who have no health insurance or are underinsured. It covers emergency care and non-emergency, medically necessary care for patients who meet the income limits. Fill out the confidential Financial Assistance Questionnaire and provide proof of income. You can apply before your appointment, when you come for care, or when the bill comes, and you have up to 240 days after care to apply. You cannot be required to pay the bill while your application is being considered. KDMC can also help you apply for free or low-cost insurance. Send or bring the application to Patient Financial Resources, 510 Highway 51 North, Suite A, Brookhaven, or call Financial Counseling Services at 601-823-5320.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Discounts are set by KDMC's financial assistance policy; KDMC makes the final decision and sends a letter within 30 days.

Rural public transit in Lincoln County is part of MDOT's SMART regional transit group. Rides here are provided by Copiah County Human Resource Agency (based in Hazlehurst). 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