Senior benefits in Prentiss County, Mississippi

The Northeast Mississippi Planning and Development District (NEMPDD) in Booneville houses the Area Agency on Aging for Prentiss County. It serves Alcorn, Benton, Marshall, Prentiss, Tippah, and Tishomingo counties. Through contracted local providers, its services include adult day care, congregate meals, home-delivered meals, transportation, homemaker help, respite care for caregivers, and legal services. Medicare counseling through the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is also offered; call 662-728-7038. The NEMPDD office is at 619 East Parker Drive in Booneville. Call 662-728-6248 to ask about services.

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

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home energy bills and energy crisis costs. In Prentiss County, LIHEAP is handled by Northeast Mississippi Community Services, the Community Action Agency (CAA) that serves Alcorn, Benton, Marshall, Prentiss, Tippah and Tishomingo counties. Its Booneville office is at 613D E. Church St., Booneville; call 662-728-8141. To apply, submit a pre-application on Access MS and mark "Community Services"; the CAA then mails or emails an appointment notice, and the full application is finished in person. A household typically qualifies with income at or below 60% of the state median income and an energy bill due. Households with elderly or disabled members get priority and should get an appointment within 30 business days. If approved, the CAA pays the energy company directly. Funding is limited.

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

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) county office for Prentiss County is at 200 Bridge Street, Booneville, MS 38829. Call 662-728-3118. County offices help with SNAP food benefits and can explain what documents to send with an application. Older adults can use the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP), a simpler way to apply for SNAP, when everyone in the household is 65 or over and no one has earnings from work; the application is form MDHS EA 904. People who get SSI can apply for SNAP through the Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) at the Social Security office or the local county MDHS office. ESAP and MSCAP participants can call 800-948-4060 for help with a SNAP case.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Booneville in Booneville takes part in Baptist's Hospital Financial Assistance Policy, which helps uninsured and underinsured patients pay for emergency and medically necessary care. Help is based on family size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Under the policy's discount table, family income under 200% of the guidelines gets a 100% discount; 201-250% gets 95%; 251-300% gets 90%; 301-350% gets 85%; and 351-400% gets 80%. Above 400%, the discount varies by facility. Insured patients with large out-of-pocket bills may also get help. Fill out a Financial Assistance Application and return it with proof of income to the business office where care was received, within 240 days of the first bill. Call the Baptist financial assistance line at 877-348-1281.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Northeast Mississippi Community Services, based in Booneville, runs rural public transit in Prentiss County. It is a demand-response service: riders call ahead to book a ride. The Mississippi Department of Transportation lists it as serving Alcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Itawamba, Marshall, Prentiss, Tippah and Tishomingo counties, with a focus on elderly, disabled and low-income residents. Seniors use public transit to get to doctor visits, the grocery store and other places. Call 662-728-2118 to ask about rides, days and fares.

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