Senior benefits in DeKalb County, Missouri

Young at Heart Resources (Area Agency on Aging Region 4) is the Area Agency on Aging for DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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. DeKalb County has no in-county hospital; nearest are Mosaic Life Care at St. Joseph (~25 miles west of Maysville) and Cameron Regional Medical Center in Cameron on the county's eastern edge (https://www.cameronregional.org/financial-assistance, (816) 649-3326). 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

OATS Transit (Northwest Region) serves DeKalb County with Service to Maysville and Cameron on the last Friday of each month and to St. Joseph on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month; $2.00 each way. Calls must be made 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