Senior benefits in Barton County, Missouri

Area Agency on Aging, Region X is the Area Agency on Aging for Barton County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Missouri AAA Region 10 (Joplin), serving "Barton, Jasper, Newton, and McDonald counties". Senior centers with weekday congregate lunch - "Eligible clients, 60 years and over, receive lunch for the requested donation of $4.50 per meal" - plus homebound meal delivery, foot clinics, medication management and vaccine clinics, Medicare counseling (including Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs), family caregiver support (homemaker, respite and personal care contracted through home health agencies), long-term care ombudsman advocacy, and legal referrals to Legal Aid of Western Missouri. Priority is given to those with the greatest economic and social need. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-417-781-7562 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 Barton County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area (ESC) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-417-781-0352 to apply.

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

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Barton County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Cox Barton County Hospital for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. In-county hospital at 29 NW 1st Lane, Lamar. CoxHealth financial assistance covers emergency and medically necessary services (not elective procedures). Income eligibility is set against the Federal Poverty Level figures published each year and is detailed in "Schedule 2: CoxHealth Financial Assistance Income and Discount Schedule"; the percentages are not printed on the page itself. Apply through MyChart or by mailing/faxing/delivering the Schedule 5 application; applications are accepted up to 240 days after the initial bill and a response typically arrives within 10-15 business days. Covered hospitals include Cox Medical Center Branson, Cox Barton County Hospital (Lamar), Cox Medical Center South and Cox North (Springfield), Cox Monett Hospital and Meyer Orthopedic Hospital.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

OATS Transit serves Barton County with Rural demand-response. To Joplin on the 1st Monday and 3rd Thursday each month; to Lamar from Mindenmines and Liberal every Tuesday and from Golden City and Jasper every Wednesday. Book at 417-887-9272 or 800-770-6287. Fares (one way): in-town rural communities $2.00, in-county $3.00, adjacent county $4.00, long distance $6.00. 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, but riders age 60 and older — and riders with disabilities — who travel under the Area Agency on Aging contract do not pay a set fare. They are asked to contribute what they can instead. Ask about the AAA contract when you book. Call ahead, as rides are scheduled in advance. Call 1-417-887-9272 for schedules, fares, or to book a ride.

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