Senior benefits in New Madrid County, Missouri
Seniors in New Madrid County, Missouri have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, housing costs, food, energy bills, and more. Aging Matters, the local Area Agency on Aging, is a strong starting point for connecting with services in this area. Locally, Missouri Delta Medical Center offers financial assistance for qualifying patients, and Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation delivers energy help through the LIHEAP program for those struggling with utility costs. SMTS, Inc. (Southeast Missouri Transportation Service) provides transit options for seniors and people with disabilities who need a ride to appointments or other destinations. At the state level, programs like MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind and Disabled, the Missouri Property Tax Credit (Circuit Breaker), Missouri SHIP free Medicare counseling, and Senior Meals are available to eligible residents. Federal programs also apply here, covering everything from food assistance to veterans benefits. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, though the administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
4
Local programs
17
Missouri programs
25
Federal programs
18
Categories
Last verified · October 3, 2026
Local starting point
Aging Matters (Area Agency on Aging) — Missouri Area Agency on Aging network (DHSS Senior and Disability Services)
573-335-3331 (toll-free 1-800-392-8771)
See which of these New Madrid County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the New Madrid County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in New Madrid County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving New Madrid County. Start here.
Elder Services in New Madrid County
Programs here typically provide services worth $500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging (Aging Matters (Area Agency on Aging)) — New Madrid
County · MissouriAging Matters (Area Agency on Aging) is the Area Agency on Aging for New Madrid County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to One of Missouri's ten AAAs, serving an eighteen-county southeast region including this county. Senior center nutrition programs, in-home services, family caregiver support, transportation, Medicare information & assistance, and Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocacy for 'people who are aged 60 and over' (verbatim, agingmatters2u.com homepage). The state page (health.mo.gov/seniors/aaa/) delegates the county-to-AAA lookup to ma4web.org/find-local-agency/, whose table lists this county under Aging Matters (Cape Girardeau). No single services hub page exists; per-service pages include /in-home, /senior-centers, /family-caregiver, /transportation-services, /i-a. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 573-335-3331 (toll-free 1-800-392-8771) to get started.
Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year
Energy Assistance in New Madrid County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $300–$1,000 a year.
Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) — New Madrid
County · MissouriMissouri's Energy Assistance and Energy Crisis Intervention programs (LIHEAP) help income-eligible households in New Madrid County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call (573) 931-8400 (toll-free 800-748-8320) to apply.
Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in New Madrid County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Missouri Delta Medical Center) — New Madrid
County · MissouriUninsured and underinsured residents of New Madrid County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Missouri Delta Medical Center for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. No hospital in New Madrid County; Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston (~25 miles from New Madrid) is the nearest full-service hospital. See Mississippi County entry for FAP terms (free care at or below 100% of FPG; discounts 101%-200% FPG).
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in New Madrid County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Senior & Disabled Transit (SMTS, Inc. (Southeast Missouri Transportation Service)) — New Madrid
County · MissouriSMTS, Inc. (Southeast Missouri Transportation Service) serves New Madrid County with Rural demand-response public transit open to the general public (wheelchair-accessible); SMTS serves 21 southeast Missouri counties and connects to Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, and Springfield for major medical facilities. No senior fare age is stated on the site. Older adults and people with disabilities can use these services for medical appointments, shopping, and other essential trips. Rides are free or low-cost depending on the service. Call 1-573-624-8624 for schedules, eligibility, or to book a ride.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving New Madrid County
Who runs the county programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.
Missouri Delta Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Missouri Delta Medical Center)
SMTS, Inc. (Southeast Missouri Transportation Service)
Runs: Senior & Disabled Transit (SMTS, Inc. (Southeast Missouri Transportation Service))
Aging Matters (Area Agency on Aging)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging (Aging Matters (Area Agency on Aging))
Missouri and federal programs
Open to eligible households in New Madrid County and across the rest of Missouri. Full details are on the Missouri benefits page.
Caregiver Support
- Family Caregiver Support — MissouriState · Missouriabout $0/yrService valueOfficial source →
Cash Assistance
- Blind Pension & Supplemental Aid to the BlindState · Missouri$5,000–$11,388/yrCashOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- LIHEAP — Energy Assistance & Energy Crisis Intervention (Missouri)State · Missouri$300–$1,100/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrCashOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program — MissouriState · Missouriabout $50/yrCashOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind & Disabled (MHABD)State · Missouri$4,000–$15,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- MO HealthNet Spend DownState · Missouri$3,000–$12,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Missouri SHIP — Free Medicare Counseling (formerly CLAIM)State · Missouriabout $0/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Home & Community Based Services (Nursing-Home-Level Care at Home)State · Missouri$10,000–$60,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Supplemental Nursing Care (SNC)State · Missouri$2,472–$4,104/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Missouri Veterans HomesState · Missouri$20,000–$60,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB / SLMB / QI-1) — MissouriState · Missouri$2,000–$8,000/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
Nutrition
- Senior Meals — Home-Delivered & Congregate (Missouri)State · Missouri$500–$2,500/yrService valueOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Benefits Claims Assistance (Missouri Veterans Commission)State · MissouriOfficial source →
- Missouri State Veterans CemeteriesState · MissouriOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federal$0–$1,125/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Missouri Property Tax Credit (Circuit Breaker)State · Missouri$100–$1,100/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Social Security State Income Tax Exemption — MissouriState · Missouri$100–$2,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program — MissouriState · Missouri$1,000–$8,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrCashOfficial source →
Nearby counties
Local programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.