Senior benefits in Pike County, Missouri

Northeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging (NEMO AAA) is the Area Agency on Aging for Pike 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 Pike 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 Pike County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Pike County Memorial Hospital for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. Hospital in Louisiana, MO (Pike County). Its page states PCMH "will offer financial assistance and counseling for uninsured or underinsured people" and that "Financial Assistance applications must be completed and returned within 60 days." Questions: 573-754-5531 ext 116.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Pike 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: March 15 through June 30 (2027 applications available starting March 15, 2027 until June 30, 2027). The Pike County Collector's Senior Tax Freeze page lists the qualifications as: "Deed holder of primary residence in Pike County"; "62 years of age by January 1 of the year applying"; "A Missouri resident"; "All taxes must be current, no delinquencies." It states "Senior Tax Freeze 2027 Applications will be available starting March 15, 2027 until June 30, 2027." Collector Tara J. Eskew, 115 West Main, Bowling Green, MO 63334, 573-324-3281, collector@pikecounty-mo.gov. Apply through the county's program office.

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

OATS Transit serves Pike 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. Pike County routes: Bowling Green every Thursday. Fares $2.00 in-town / $3.00 county service. InterCity routes: Hwy 54 & I-70 from Louisiana to Columbia on the 1st & 3rd Thursday; Hwy 54 & 61 from Louisiana to Quincy, IL on the 2nd & 4th Thursday; St. Louis Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday ($10.00 round trip, appointments 10am-2pm). Pickup points: Bowling Green (Jct 61 & 161 McDonald's), Eolia (Jct 61 & FF Phillips 66), Frankford (Haden's Motorsports Center) and Louisiana (Jct 79 & 54 Fast Lane). 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