Senior benefits in Warren County, Missouri

Northeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging (NEMO AAA, Missouri AAA Region 5) is the Area Agency on Aging for Warren County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Region 5 AAA in Kirksville (2815 N. Baltimore, Kirksville, MO 63501; toll-free 1-800-664-6338). Verbatim on the cited page: "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." Services: caregiver resources, in-house wellness center, advocacy, information and referral assistance, in-home services, legal assistance, nutrition, long-term care ombudsman, and transportation. 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 Warren 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 Warren County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Mercy Hospital Washington for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. There is no acute-care hospital in Warren County; Mercy Hospital Washington in Washington, MO (Franklin County, roughly 20 miles south of Warrenton) is the nearest - https://www.mercy.net/practice/mercy-hospital-washington/. Mercy's financial assistance: Level I (0-200% FPL) 100% hospital and physician discount, Level II (201-300% FPL) 80% hospital / 70% physician discount; Medicaid screening first at 855-420-7900. SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - Lake Saint Louis (St. Charles County) is a comparable alternative to the east.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Warren 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: New applicants for 2026 need to come to the Collector's Office March 2nd thru June 30th. Warren County has a Senior Tax Credit administered by the County Collector (Julie Schaumberg, 101 Mockingbird Ln, Suite 200, Warrenton, MO 63383; phone 636-456-3330; collector@warrencountymo.gov; Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm; 24-hour drop box right of the entrance). Existing 2025 enrollees are renewed automatically. New applicants must apply in person at the Collector's Office between March 2 and June 30. Apply through the county's program office.

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

OATS Transit - Warren County serves Warren County with Countywide-to-Warrenton service on Wednesdays and an I-70 to Warrenton route Tuesday and Thursday 7am-4pm (pickup destinations must be within 3 miles of I-70). Reservations taken 7:00am-4:00pm; next-day service must be requested by 1:00pm. One-way fares: $2.00 in-town, $3.00 county service. InterCity routes connect to St. Charles and Columbia along Hwy 19 and I-70, linking to Amtrak, airports and other city bus services. Toll-free 800-654-6287. The Warren County government site also links MoRIDES (morides.org), a regional transportation referral service. 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 1-660-415-0901 for schedules, fares, or to book a ride.

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