Senior benefits in St. Louis County, Missouri

Aging Ahead (Missouri AAA Region 8) is the Area Agency on Aging for St. Louis County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Region 8 AAA headquartered in St. Louis County (14535 Manchester Rd., St. Louis, MO 63011). Meals on Wheels, senior centers / CHOICE locations, Community Options and Services (options counseling, benefits and resource connection), caregiving services, public education and outreach. Verbatim: "We have been providing supportive services in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson counties since 1973." and "Adults 60 and older count on Aging Ahead to provide nutritious meals, connection to resources and supportive services". Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-800-243-6060 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 St. Louis County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-314-446-4420 to apply.

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

Uninsured and underinsured residents of St. Louis County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Missouri Baptist Medical Center for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. In-county BJC hospital in Town and Country (https://www.bjc.org/locations/missouri-baptist-medical-center). BJC's financial-assistance page states "BJC hospitals want to help patients who do not have health insurance or who need help paying their hospital bills" and provides a downloadable Financial Assistance Application and Income and Discount Schedule; toll-free 844-747-8845. Note BJC's own warning that some doctors and providers affiliated with BJC hospitals do not offer financial assistance under BJC guidelines. Mercy Hospital St. Louis (Creve Coeur) and Mercy Hospital South are the major non-BJC alternatives in the county.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

St. Louis 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. The Senior Property Tax Freeze ('STF') freezes most of the real estate property taxes on a senior's primary residence at the base-year level (the first year a qualified senior applied and was approved). Criteria: 62+ as of December 31 of the base tax year; you own the property or have a legal or equitable interest; you primarily reside in the property. Only one primary residence may be claimed and the freeze must be renewed every year. Applications and renewals go through the county's online portal (stlouiscomo.devnetportal.com); in-person help is offered at Clayton (41 S. Central Ave.), South County (Keller Plaza, 4554 Lemay Ferry Rd.) and North County (The Crossings at Northwest, 715 Northwest Plaza Dr.). Proof required: parcel/locator number, proof of identity and age, proof of ownership (deed or trust pages), proof of residence. The freeze excludes the Blind Pension Fund; tax rates are not frozen, the tax amount is. The County Council will review the program within five years of enactment. Apply through the county's program office.

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

Metro Transit (Bi-State Development) serves St. Louis County with MetroBus and MetroLink serve St. Louis County. A Senior Reduced Fare Permit is obtained through the Transit Access Center by contacting ADA Services at 314.982.1510 or OnTheWayADA@MetroStLouis.org; a government-issued picture ID verifying age (state driver's license, state ID, passport or alien registration card) is required. Metro Call-A-Ride is the ADA paratransit service for people with disabilities who cannot use accessible MetroLink or MetroBus - reservations 314-982-1505, answered daily 7:30am-5:00pm (https://www.metrostlouis.org/metro-call-a-ride/ Metro's "On The Way With ADA" program gives qualified paratransit customers free rides on MetroBus and MetroLink. 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 1-314-982-1510 for schedules, eligibility, or to book a ride.

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