Senior benefits in Boone County, Missouri

Aging Best is the Area Agency on Aging for Boone County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Congregate and home-delivered meals, transportation to nutrition centers and medical appointments, care coordination/case management, Medicare and benefits counseling, in-home support (homemaker, minor home repair), friendly visitation and telephone reassurance, health and wellness classes (Tai Chi, balance). Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-573-443-5823 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 Boone County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-573-200-6655 to apply.

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

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Boone County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at University Hospital (Columbia) for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. MU Health Care's financial assistance policy page (fetched live) covers uninsured and underinsured patients and states: 'Eligibility is based on income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level.' Apply through MU Health Care Financial Counseling. Boone Health (Boone Hospital Center, Columbia) is the county's other hospital system.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Boone 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: 2026 application period ended June 30, 2026; next window anticipated no later than April 1, 2027 through June 30, 2027. Boone County Senior Real Estate Tax Relief Program (SB 190 / RSMo 137.1050), administered by the Boone County Collector. Eligible taxpayers apply with a notarized application plus supporting documents at the Collector's Office, 801 E. Walnut St., Rm 118, Columbia, MO 65201, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. No home-value cap stated on the program page. Apply through the county's program office.

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

Go COMO (Columbia) and OATS Transit (countywide) serves Boone County with Go COMO (City of Columbia) fixed routes and paratransit have been fare-free since March 2020. Outside Columbia city limits, OATS Transit (https://www.oatstransit.org/boone, fetched live) runs county service from Ashland, Hallsville, Centralia, Harrisburg, Rocheport and Sturgeon to Columbia on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, $2.00 per one-way trip, open to any age; schedule at 573-449-3789 or 800-269-6287. 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 1-573-874-2489 for schedules, fares, or to book a ride.

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