Senior benefits in Tishomingo County, Mississippi

The Northeast Mississippi Planning and Development District (NEMPDD) in Booneville houses the Area Agency on Aging for Tishomingo 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 Tishomingo 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 Iuka office is at 1008 Battleground Dr., Room 4, Iuka; call 662-423-7013. 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 Tishomingo County is at 1008 Battleground Dr, Room 104, Iuka, MS 38852. Call 662-423-7020. 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

NMMC-Iuka in Iuka is a North Mississippi Health Services (NMHS) hospital. NMHS hospitals offer financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured patients for emergency or medically necessary care. Eligibility depends on income compared with the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and discounts range from 5% to 100% on a sliding scale based on family size and income. Insured patients with a large out-of-pocket bill for one visit may also qualify. A patient who qualifies will not be charged more than amounts generally billed to insured patients. Get a Financial Assistance Application from the hospital's Admissions, Emergency or Business Office, download it from the NMHS website, or call 662-377-3219. Return it with proof of income to the Business Office of the hospital where care was received within 240 days of the first bill. A decision letter is sent within 30 days.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Northeast Mississippi Community Services, based in Booneville, runs rural public transit in Tishomingo 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