Senior benefits in St. Louis City, Missouri

St. Louis Area Agency on Aging (SLAAA, Missouri AAA Region 9) is the Area Agency on Aging for the City of St. Louis. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to City of St. Louis department. "The St. Louis Area Agency on Aging (SLAAA) provides a comprehensible and coordinated system of community-based services for older adults in the City of St. Louis." Service area: "serves older adults, and persons with disabilities (18-59 yrs), who reside within the boundaries of the City of St. Louis." Services include senior transportation and discounted bus passes, senior centers with congregate and home-delivered meals, disease prevention and health promotion, energy utility assistance, help applying for the Senior Property Tax Freeze Credit and the state Circuit Breaker (MO-PTC), and the Senior Minor Home Repair Program. Office: 1520 Market St., Room 4065/4086, St. Louis, MO 63103; slaaa@stlouis-mo.gov. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-314-612-5918 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 the City of St. Louis pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (ULSTL) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-314-615-3632 to apply.

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

Uninsured and underinsured residents of the City of St. Louis can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Barnes-Jewish Hospital for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. Barnes-Jewish Hospital (https://www.barnesjewish.org/) is the primary hospital in the City of St. Louis. BJC's financial-assistance page provides a downloadable Financial Assistance Application, an Income and Discount Schedule, and the Financial Assistance Policy (standard and large-print); phone 314-747-8845, toll-free 844-747-8845. Materials are available in 19+ languages. SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital is the other major city hospital (SSM financial assistance: 888-918-3512).

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

City of St. Louis 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 county limits eligibility to homes valued at $528,392 or less. Applications: Each year the application window for both new and returning applicants is open March 1 - June 30. The City of St. Louis Senior Citizen Property Tax Freeze Credit program freezes the City's portion of property tax on an eligible senior's primary residence. The freeze does NOT apply to other taxes such as public schools, public library, museum and zoo district; it applies only to residential real estate, not vehicles or other personal property. Requirements: 62+ as of December 31 of the current year; owner of record or holder of a legal/equitable interest in your primary residence in the City; liable for the real estate taxes; physically occupy the residence for a majority of the year and use it as your legal address; not used for investment or commercial purposes; no more than one primary residence claimed. Property requirements: the total appraised market value from the most recent assessment must be $528,392 or less, all prior-year property taxes paid, and property receiving tax abatement is not eligible. Apply online, by mail, or renew; proof of age plus any two proofs of primary residence required. Documents may be submitted up to July 31 but 30 days / before June 30 is recommended. Administered by the City Assessor's Office, 1200 Market St, Room 120, St. Louis, MO 63103, assessor-office@stlouis-mo.gov. Expect a response within 60 days. Apply through the county's program office.

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

In this county: The freeze applies only to the primary residence, requires an application with City of St. Louis (often annually), and county rules control what is frozen and any home-value limits — the county makes the final determination, so this shows as a may-qualify result.

St. Louis Area Agency on Aging senior transportation (SLAAA) serves the City of St. Louis with SLAAA senior center vans provide non-emergency medical transportation (doctor, hospital, dialysis), trips to SLAAA-sponsored senior centers, necessary government or bank business, grocery and drug store shopping, and SLAAA activities. Service Monday-Friday 7:30am-5pm, subject to availability; request 2-3 days in advance. A contribution is asked for all rides but service is not refused for inability to pay. SLAAA also sells discounted bus passes on a limited basis (requires a current Metro Reduced Fare Permit with a current city address and a Missouri ID showing you are 60 or older). Separately, Metro Transit's Senior Reduced Fare Permit gives half-price MetroBus/MetroLink rides at age 65 and older (314.982.1510, https://www.metrostlouis.org/reduced-fare-program/), and Metro Call-A-Ride is the ADA paratransit service (314-982-1505). 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 1-314-612-5918 for schedules, eligibility, or to book a ride.

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