Senior benefits in Simpson 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 Simpson 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 Simpson County. After the online pre-application, call SCCAA's Simpson County LIHEAP line at (601) 847-5552 for an appointment. MDHS also lists the SCCAA office at 398 Simpson Highway 149, Suite C, Magee, (601) 439-7208. 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 Simpson County is at 109 West Pine, Suite 1. Phone: 601-847-3815. Email: dfo.simpsoncounty@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

Simpson General Hospital in Mendenhall and its clinics serve all patients regardless of ability to pay, and offer financial assistance to people who are uninsured, underinsured, or would face hardship paying in full. Help is based on household income compared with the federal poverty guidelines: at or below 100%, you owe nothing for the hospital's care; between 101% and 250%, you may get discounted rates. Fill out the financial assistance form and send it with your income documents to Simpson General Hospital, Attn: Business Office, 1842 Simpson Hwy 149, Mendenhall, MS 39114, or apply in person. Call 601-847-7131 for information or an application.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Financial assistance is set by Simpson General Hospital's policy; the hospital makes the final decision.

Rural public transit in Simpson 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