Senior benefits in Montgomery County, Missouri

Northeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging (NEMO AAA) is the Area Agency on Aging for Montgomery County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Region 5 Area Agency on Aging in Kirksville, serving 16 northeast Missouri counties. Programs include information and referral/assistance, in-home services, congregate and home-delivered nutrition, legal assistance, the long-term care ombudsman program, transportation (contracted with OATS Transit), caregiver resources and respite, advocacy, and an in-house wellness center. Site states: "NEMO AAA programs and services are available for anyone above the age of 60 or a caregiver who resides in the counties of Adair, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, and Warren." The services list and the age-60 sentence quoted above both appear on the NEMO AAA home page (https://nemoaaa.org/), which is cited here because the deeper pages https://nemoaaa.org/services/ and https://nemoaaa.org/services-by-county/ rate-limit automated fetchers (HTTP 429) and 403 plain fetchers; they load normally in a browser. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-660-665-4682 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 Montgomery County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-573-564-4002 to apply.

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

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Montgomery County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Hermann Area District Hospital for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. Nearest district hospital to southern Montgomery County (Montgomery County has no hospital of its own). Page describes a "Financial Assistance/Sliding Fee Discount Program based on family size and income to ensure that patients have access to primary care services regardless of their ability to pay." Hospital main line (573) 486-2191; financial assistance 573-486-2169.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

OATS Transit serves Montgomery County. OATS Transit is a shared-ride, demand-response public transportation service covering 87 rural Missouri counties. Reservations are taken 7:00 am to 4:00 pm (next-day service must be requested by 1:00 pm). Fares are paid in advance from a rider account: add funds by credit or debit card ($10.00 minimum when adding funds by phone), or mail a personal check, money order, or cashier's check to the OATS Transit office. Drivers do not accept payment on the bus. Montgomery County routes: Warrenton every Wednesday. Fares $2.00 in-town / $3.00 county / $4.00 adjacent county. InterCity routes: Hwy 19 & I-70 from Wellsville to St. Charles on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Friday, and Hwy 19 & I-70 from Jonesburg to Columbia on the 2nd Friday ($10.00 round trip, appointments 10am-2pm). Pickup points: Montgomery City Senior Center (138 S Allen), New Florence (Jct 19 & I-70 McDonald's) and the Jonesburg commuter lot. 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 — and riders with disabilities — who travel under the Area Agency on Aging contract do not pay a set fare. They are asked to contribute what they can instead. Ask about the AAA contract when you book. Call ahead, as rides are scheduled in advance. Call 660-415-0901 or 800-654-6287 for schedules, fares, or to book a ride.

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