Senior benefits in Andrew County, Missouri

Young at Heart Resources (Area Agency on Aging Region 4) is the Area Agency on Aging for Andrew County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Benefits counseling (including Medicare and Medicaid counseling), congregate and home-delivered meals, active living/senior centers, in-home care, caregiving and respite support, healthy aging courses, legal assistance, long-term care ombudsman advocacy, transportation, information and assistance, community outreach, and grandparents-raising-grandchildren support. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 660-240-9400 (toll free 888-844-5626) to get started.

Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year

Missouri's Energy Assistance and Energy Crisis Intervention programs (LIHEAP) help income-eligible households in Andrew County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph (CAPSTJOE) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-816-233-8281 to apply.

Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Andrew County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Mosaic Life Care at St. Joseph - Medical Center for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. Nearest hospital for Andrew County (Savannah) is Mosaic Life Care at St. Joseph, ~13 miles south; Mosaic also operates a Savannah clinic location. Financial assistance page states eligibility for "Mosaic Life Care patients or guarantors with gross household income up to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines." Apply at myMLC.com/myFinancialOptions, by calling (816) 271-4006, or in person at Enterprise Financial Counseling, 5325 Faraon Entrance 4, St. Joseph, or 2016 South Main, Maryville. NOTE: Mosaic Life Care's former domain mymlc.com no longer resolves (NXDOMAIN) and mymlc.com now redirects to an unrelated Canadian clinic; the live official site is mymlc.com.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Andrew County has adopted Missouri's senior property tax credit (SB 190): homeowners 62 or older can freeze the real-estate tax bill on their primary home, so it stops rising in later years. Applications: March 1st to May 31st of each year. Andrew County adopted the credit by order/ordinance: "Andrew County hereby authorizes a tax credit to eligible taxpayers residing in Andrew County as authorized by RSMo Sec. 137.1050, as amended." An annual application is required; "An eligible taxpayer shall have attained the age of 62 before January 1st of their initial credit year." "The application enrollment period shall be from March 1st to May 31st of each year." Initial credit year "shall be no earlier than January 1, 2025." Excluded levies: State Blind Pension Fund and voter-approved bond indebtedness. Notarized signature required. Renewal application also posted. Apply through the county's program office.

Estimated bill savings: $100–$2,000 a year

OATS Transit (Northwest Region) serves Andrew County with Service from Andrew County to St. Joseph every Tuesday of the month, $2.00 each way (North Walmart, The Shoppes, the hospital, and medical appointments). Call to schedule a trip at least 24 hours in advance. OATS Transit is open to riders of any age — the page for this county states it is 'available to anyone regardless of age, income, disability, race, gender, religion, or national origin'. Fares are listed above; call ahead to book, as rides are scheduled in advance. Call 816-279-3131 or 800-831-9219 for schedules, fares, or to book a ride.

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