Senior benefits in Rankin 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 Rankin 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

South Central Community Action Agency (SCCAA) takes LIHEAP applications for Rankin County. The South Central CAA office is at 1545 W. Govt. St, Suite C, Brandon. Phone: (601) 825-1309. 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 Rankin County is at 603 Marquette Rd. Phone: 601-825-8820. Email: dfo.rankincounty@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

Merit Health River Oaks, at 1030 River Oaks Dr, Flowood, has a Financial Assistance Program for patients who get non-elective care, do not qualify for state or federal help, and cannot pay a large part of their bill. It offers a Charity Care Discount based on multiples of the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines, using income documents to decide. Fill out the Financial Assistance Program (FAP) application and return it to the hospital with the required documents, at the time of service or any time during your billing cycle. The hospital also screens patients for other coverage such as Medicaid. Call the hospital at (601) 932-1030 and ask for Customer Service, the Patient Access Director or a Financial Counselor.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Rural public transit in Rankin County is part of MDOT's TRANS-CON regional transit group. Rides here are provided by South Central Community Action Agency. 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 TRANS-CON regional group at 601-218-7674 to find the provider for your area and ask about fares and how to book.

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