Senior benefits in Livingston County, Missouri

Young at Heart Resources (Area Agency on Aging Region 4) is the Area Agency on Aging for Livingston 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 Livingston County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Green Hills Community Action Agency (GHCAA) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-660-359-6619 to apply.

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

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Livingston County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Hedrick Medical Center for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. Hedrick Medical Center (Chillicothe) is listed by name on the Saint Luke's financial-assistance page as an entity offering BJC Health financial assistance. Hedrick Medical Center is the in-county hospital, in Chillicothe, Livingston County. The page links an 'Income and Discount Schedule (PDF)' for the exact federal-poverty-guideline thresholds; no percentage appears in the page text, so no dollar/percent value is asserted here.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

OATS Transit (Northwest Region) serves Livingston County with Chillicothe In-Town service Monday-Friday, $2.00 each way. The Northwest Missouri to St. Joseph & Kansas City Intercity Route also serves the county - Kansas City on Tuesdays and St. Joseph three Fridays a month, $10.00 round trip, 24-hour advance reservations, priority to medical trips. 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