Senior benefits in Franklin County, Missouri

Aging Ahead (Missouri AAA Region 8) is the Area Agency on Aging for Franklin County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Region 8 AAA serving Franklin County. Services: Meals on Wheels home-delivered meals, senior centers and CHOICE activity locations, Community Options and Services (options counseling / benefits and resource connection), caregiving services, public education and outreach. Service list also at https://www.agingahead.org/what-we-do/. Verbatim on the cited page: "We have been providing supportive services in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson counties since 1973." and "Adults 60 and older count on Aging Ahead to provide nutritious meals, connection to resources and supportive services". Franklin County MO-PTC help line published by the county: (636) 629-3143 (Aging Ahead). Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-800-243-6060 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 Franklin County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Jefferson-Franklin Community Action Corporation (JFCAC) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-636-789-2686 to apply.

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

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Franklin County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Mercy Hospital Washington for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. Serving hospital located in Washington, MO, in Franklin County (https://www.mercy.net/practice/mercy-hospital-washington/). Mercy's system-wide financial assistance policy page states Level I (0-200% of poverty) receives 100% hospital and physician discounts and Level II (201-300% of poverty) receives an 80% hospital / 70% physician discount; uninsured patients are first screened for Medicaid at 855-420-7900.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Franklin 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. Franklin County Collector of Revenue (Doug Trentmann, 400 E Locust, Room 103, Union, MO 63084) runs a senior real-property tax credit through a dedicated county .gov application site. Requirements listed on the application: 62 or older as of January 1, 2026; property must be your primary residence in Franklin County; property cannot be owned by an LLC; only residential portions qualify; annual renewal is required. The county Collector page (https://www.franklinmo.org/collector) links to it as "Senior Tax Relief Application Status". Apply through the county's program office.

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

OATS Transit - Franklin County serves Franklin County with Demand-response and scheduled routes. Rides must be scheduled 48-72 hours in advance; service is based on availability. Monthly shopping runs (Berger/New Haven/Washington, St. Clair, Pacific/Grey Summit/Villa Ridge, Union, Sullivan, Gerald/Leslie/Beaufort), senior center service to the St. Clair, Washington and Union senior centers, weekday medical trips, and an InterCity route to St. Louis destinations ($10.00 one-way; $20.00 round-trip). Local fare $2 per one-way trip along set routes. Second phone: 636-583-1125. 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 who travel under the Area Agency on Aging contract do not pay a set fare for their first two medical trips, or one medical and one shopping trip. Ask about the AAA contract when you book. Call ahead, as rides are scheduled in advance. Call 1-800-373-1631 for schedules, fares, or to book a ride.

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