Senior benefits in Crawford County, Missouri

Aging Best (Region 6 Area Agency on Aging) is the Area Agency on Aging for Crawford County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Region 6 AAA covering Crawford County. In-home and support services (homemaker/light housekeeping, home-delivered meals, minor home repair and modification, transportation coordination, case management), congregate meals and activities at county nutrition/activity centers, caregiver support (respite, adult day care coordination, grandparents raising grandchildren), benefits and legal help (Medicare/Medicaid counseling, health insurance navigation, application assistance for housing, SNAP and property tax credits, legal assistance, long-term care ombudsman), and evidence-based wellness programs (Aging Mastery, Matter of Balance, Tai Chi for Arthritis, Walk with Ease). Toll-free 800-369-5211; Help4U@agingbest.org; 201 W. Broadway, Suite 1E, Columbia, MO 65203. 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 Crawford County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Missouri Ozarks Community Action, Inc. (MOCA) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-573-765-3263 to apply.

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

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Crawford County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. Nearest acute-care hospital for Crawford County residents: 751 Sappington Bridge Road, Sullivan, MO 63080; hospital main line 573-468-4186 (https://www.bjc.org/locations/missouri-baptist-sullivan-hospital). Financial assistance is administered under BJC HealthCare guidelines — call 314-747-8845 or toll free 844-747-8845. BJC cautions that 'Some doctors and providers are affiliated with BJC hospitals, but do not offer Financial Assistance under BJC guidelines.' The FPL percentages and income/discount schedule are published only in the linked Financial Assistance Policy and Income and Discount Schedule PDFs, not on the HTML page, so no verbatim threshold is recorded. Phelps Health in Rolla is the other realistic option — SMTS runs a weekly Crawford County route to Rolla.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

SMTS, Inc. (Southeast Missouri Transportation Service) serves Crawford County with Door-to-door demand-response. Local routes: Tuesday entire county to Rolla; Wednesday entire county to Sullivan; Thursday southern Crawford County and Steelville to Steelville; Friday entire county to Cuba. Long-distance group routes (call 573-729-3133): 2nd & 4th Monday to Columbia and 1st & 3rd Thursday to St. Louis, both run jointly with Dent County. Office hours Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Older adults and people with disabilities can use these services for medical appointments, shopping, and other essential trips. Rides are free or low-cost depending on the service. Call 1-573-775-2793 for schedules, eligibility, or to book a ride.

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