Senior benefits in Atchison County, Missouri

Young at Heart Resources (Area Agency on Aging Region 4) is the Area Agency on Aging for Atchison 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 Atchison County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Community Services, Inc. of Northwest Missouri (CSI) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-660-582-3113 to apply.

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

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Atchison County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Community Hospital - Fairfax for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. Community Hospital - Fairfax is the in-county hospital (Fairfax, Atchison County). Charity-care page states "CH-F has a charity/medically indigent program that can assist financially-restricted patients needing medical services" and that applications must be received "within 2 weeks of receipt to be considered." No income threshold or federal poverty percentage is published on the page. Applications: financeassistance@fairfaxmed.com. Hospital address 26136 US Hwy 59, Fairfax, MO 64446.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

OATS Transit (Northwest Region) serves Atchison County with Service from Atchison County to Shenandoah, IA (1st Tuesday of each month), St. Joseph (5th Tuesday, if there are five Tuesdays in a month) and Maryville (2nd and 4th Tuesday each month). Fares: $2.00 each way. 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