Senior benefits in Douglas County, Missouri
4
Local programs
16
Missouri programs
25
Federal programs
18
Categories
Local starting point
SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging — Missouri Area Agency on Aging network (DHSS Senior and Disability Services)
1-417-862-0762
See which of these Douglas County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Douglas County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Douglas County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Douglas County. Start here.
Elder Services
Programs here are typically worth $500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging (SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging) — Douglas
CountySeniorAge Area Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Douglas County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Region 1 AAA in Springfield. Care coordination, senior centers and meals, Medicare/CLAIM navigator, legal services, tax assistance, wellness classes, veterans assistance. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-417-862-0762 to get started.
$500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance
Programs here are typically worth $300–$1,000 a year to an eligible household.
Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) — Douglas
CountyMissouri's Energy Assistance and Energy Crisis Intervention programs (LIHEAP) help income-eligible households in Douglas County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Ozark Action, Inc. (OAI) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-417-256-6147 to apply.
$300–$1,000/yr
Healthcare
Hospital Financial Assistance (CoxHealth (Cox Medical Center South, Springfield)) — Douglas
CountyUninsured and underinsured residents of Douglas County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at CoxHealth (Cox Medical Center South, Springfield) for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. Douglas County (Ava) has no hospital. Springfield's CoxHealth and Mercy campuses are the nearest full-service hospitals (~45 mi northwest); Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains (~60 mi east) runs the Mountain Grove Medical Complex clinic nearby. CoxHealth financial assistance uses Federal Poverty Level income guidelines; uninsured and Medicaid patients automatically qualify.
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Senior & Disabled Transit (OATS Transit (Southwest Region, Springfield)) — Douglas
CountyOATS Transit (Southwest Region, Springfield) serves Douglas County with Rural demand-response: Springfield (1st Monday monthly), Ozark (3rd Tuesday monthly) and Ava on varying schedules depending on where in the county the rider lives. Fares $2.00-$6.00 deducted from a prepaid account.. 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 1-417-887-9272 for schedules, eligibility, or to book a ride.
$150–$1,500/yr
Missouri and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Douglas County and across the rest of Missouri. Full details are on the Missouri benefits page.
Caregiver Support
Cash Assistance
- Blind Pension & Supplemental Aid to the BlindState$5,000–$11,388/yrOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program — MissouriState$50/yrOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind & Disabled (MHABD)State$4,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- MO HealthNet Spend DownState$3,000–$12,000/yrOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- Missouri SHIP — Free Medicare Counseling (formerly CLAIM)StateOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrOfficial source →
- Home & Community Based Services (Nursing-Home-Level Care at Home)State$10,000–$60,000/yrOfficial source →
- Missouri Veterans HomesState$20,000–$60,000/yrOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB / SLMB / QI-1) — MissouriState$2,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Nutrition
- Senior Meals — Home-Delivered & Congregate (Missouri)State$500–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Benefits Claims Assistance (Missouri Veterans Commission)StateOfficial source →
- Missouri State Veterans CemeteriesStateOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federalup to $1,125/yrOfficial source →
- Missouri Property Tax Credit (Circuit Breaker)State$100–$1,100/yrOfficial source →
- Social Security State Income Tax Exemption — MissouriState$100–$2,000/yrOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program — MissouriState$1,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrOfficial source →
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.