Senior benefits in Miller County, Missouri

Aging Best (Region 6 Area Agency on Aging) is the Area Agency on Aging for Miller County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Congregate meals at nutrition activity centers and home-delivered meals; in-home support (homemaker, minor home repair and modification, pet care); long-term care ombudsman; benefits counseling (Medicare/Medicaid, marketplace navigation, help applying for financial assistance); transportation coordination to nutrition centers, classes, shopping and medical appointments. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-800-369-5211 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 Miller County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Missouri Ozarks Community Action, Inc. (MOCA) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-573-765-3263 to apply.

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

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Miller County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Lake Regional Health System for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. Financial assistance section: 'If you are financially unable to pay your Lake Regional bill, you may qualify for assistance under Lake Regional Health System's financial assistance program. Your eligibility depends primarily on your family income and how it compares to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' poverty guidelines.' Lake Regional operates Rural Health Clinics in Eldon and Iberia (Miller County) that participate in the sliding fee schedule. FETCH CAVEAT: lakeregional.com returns HTTP 403 to plain fetchers; a desktop-browser User-Agent header is required.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Miller 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. Applications: January 1 - June 30, annually (must reapply every year). SB190 Tax Credit Freeze Program, primary residence only, adopted 'PURSUANT TO MILLER COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 2023-237 DATED 12/06/2023 AND AMENDED 10/11/2024' and administered under 'SB 190 AND SB 756, RSMO 137.1050'. Freezes the residential portion of the real estate tax bill at the prior (base) year amount. Requirements: age 62 by application date; Miller County primary residence occupied at least 180 days of the year and the applicant's only primary residence; owner of record (individual/joint or revocable/living trust); responsible for the tax bill; taxes paid current; only one residence/dwelling on the parcel; only one qualified applicant need apply. Proof of identity/age, Missouri residency, and ownership required. A new application (annual affidavit) must be filed each year or the base year resets. Apply through the county's program office.

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

OATS Transit serves Miller County with Scheduled rural routes: Iberia/St. Anthony/St. Elizabeth to Jefferson City on the 3rd Friday of each month; Eldon In-Town on the 3rd Wednesday each month; Kaiser/Lake Ozark to Osage Beach on the 2nd & 4th Thursday (max 3 stops). Fare $2.00 one-way, prepaid to a rider account ($10.00 minimum to add funds); drivers do not accept payment on the bus. Office hours Monday-Friday 8 AM to 4 PM. 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 573-449-3789 or 800-269-6287 for schedules, fares, or to book a ride.

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