Senior benefits in Newton County, Mississippi

The East Central Planning and Development District (ECPDD) is the Area Agency on Aging for Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott and Smith counties, including Newton County. Its aging services include congregate meals, emergency response, home delivered meals, homemaker services, information and referral, legal assistance, the long-term care ombudsman, outreach, respite, SHIP Medicare counseling, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), transportation, and Matter of Balance and Walk with Ease classes. ECPDD also provides case management for the Medicaid Elderly and Disabled Waiver. The mailing address is P. O. Box 499, Newton. Call (601) 683-2007.

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

Multi-County Community Service Agency (Multi-County CSA) takes LIHEAP applications for Newton County. Its Newton County office is at 401 Third Avenue, Newton. Phone: (601) 683-2733. 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 Newton County is at 14712 Hwy 15 South. Phone: 601-635-4490. Email: dfo.newtoncounty@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

Ochsner Laird Hospital, at 25117 Highway 15, Union, is part of Ochsner Health (Ochsner Rush) and follows Ochsner Health's financial assistance policy for emergency and medical care. You may qualify for 100% financial assistance (free care) if your family income is 200% or less of the federal poverty guidelines. Above that, Ochsner may give discounts in some cases, such as very large bills, terminal illness or many hospital stays. Help applies only to your share of the bill, such as a deductible or copay. To apply, call 504-842-4190 (7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday) or complete an application on MyOchsner, and mail it with your documents to Ochsner Health, Attn: Patient Accounts Customer Service, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Rural public transit in Newton County is part of MDOT's EZTAG regional transit group. Rides here are provided by Philadelphia Transit. 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 EZTAG regional group at 601-650-7429 or 601-650-7484 to find the provider for your area and ask about fares and how to book.

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