Senior benefits in Mercer County, Missouri

Young at Heart Resources (Area Agency on Aging Region 4) is the Area Agency on Aging for Mercer 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 Mercer 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 Mercer County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Wright Memorial Hospital for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. Wright Memorial Hospital (Trenton) is listed by name on the Saint Luke's financial-assistance page as an entity offering BJC Health financial assistance. Mercer County has no in-county hospital. Nearest facilities to the county seat Princeton are Wright Memorial Hospital in Trenton (~20 miles south, Saint Luke's Health System - cited here) and Harrison County Community Hospital in Bethany (~25 miles west, no live website found). 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 Mercer County with Service to Bethany on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month; $2.00 each way. 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