Senior benefits in Sunflower County, Mississippi

The South Delta Area Agency on Aging, part of South Delta Planning and Development District in Greenville, serves Sunflower County and the rest of a six-county area for people 60 and older. It works with local providers, including the Bolivar County Council on Aging, Sunflower-Humphreys Counties Progress, the Warren-Washington-Issaquena-Sharkey Community Action Agency and North Mississippi Rural Legal Services. Its Mississippi Access to Care (MAC) Center gives options counseling on waiver services, home-delivered meals, senior jobs, medical equipment, family caregiver support, legal help, transportation, utility help, veteran services and prescription savings. It also runs the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) for low-income people 55 or older. Call 662-378-3831, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home energy bills, including power, gas, wood and propane. MDHS lists Sunflower-Humphreys Counties Progress, Inc. (414 Martin L. King Dr in Indianola) as the Community Action Agency (CAA) for Sunflower County. To apply, send a pre-application through the Common Web Portal on Access MS and mark "Community Services." The CAA will then send a letter with an appointment, where you finish the application in person. People who are elderly or disabled should get an appointment within 30 business days. Households with elderly or disabled members get the greatest priority. Income must be at or below 60% of the state median income for your household size. Funding is limited. If you are approved, the CAA pays your energy company directly. For help, call the MDHS Community Services division at 1-800-421-0762.

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

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) has two offices in Sunflower County: 225 Martin Luther King Dr in Indianola (phone 662-887-2051) and 630 Elisha & Everett Langdon St in Ruleville (phone 662-756-4301). You can apply for SNAP food benefits online, or contact your local MDHS office for an application. If everyone in the home is 65 or older and no one earns money from work, a shorter form, the SNAP Simplified Application for the Elderly (ESAP, form MDHS EA 904), can be used. If you already get SNAP or TANF and need help with your case, start by contacting your caseworker. ESAP and MSCAP clients can call 800-948-4060. SNAP/TANF Customer Service: 800-948-3050.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

South Sunflower County Hospital in Indianola offers charity care or reduced charges for medically necessary care to people in its service area who are uninsured or underinsured and cannot pay. Under its policy, household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level can have the balance after insurance treated as charity care, and income from 201% to 299% can get a discount. Fill out a Financial Assistance Application and bring the required papers. You can apply up to 240 days after the first bill. Call the hospital at 662-887-5235.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Charity care is income-based and set by the hospital's financial assistance policy; South Sunflower County Hospital makes the final award decision.

Rural public transit in Sunflower County is open to the general public, and seniors use it to get to doctor's appointments, the grocery store and other places. MDOT's statewide transit study lists the Bolivar County Council on Aging in Cleveland, Mississippi Valley State University Mass Transit in Itta Bena, and Sunflower-Humphreys Counties Progress, Inc. in Indianola as rural demand-response (call-ahead) providers serving the county. Providers offer wheelchair accessible rides. Sunflower County is in MDOT's Delta Rides region, which serves 21 counties in northwest Mississippi and has a call center that links the transit systems. Call Delta Rides at 662-846-6161 to find a ride.

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