Senior benefits in Washington County, Missouri

Aging Best (Region 6 Area Agency on Aging) is the Area Agency on Aging for Washington County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Congregate meals at nutrition activity centers and home-delivered meals; in-home support (homemaker, minor home repair and modification, pet care); long-term care ombudsman; benefits counseling (Medicare/Medicaid, marketplace navigation, help applying for financial assistance); transportation coordination to nutrition centers, classes, shopping and medical appointments. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-800-369-5211 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 Washington County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and East Missouri Action Agency (EMAA) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-800-392-8663 to apply.

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

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Washington County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Parkland Health Center for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. Nearest hospital with a verifiable financial-assistance page (Farmington, St. Francois County, roughly 25 miles east of Potosi). The BJC page states BJC hospitals 'want to help patients who do not have health insurance or who need help paying their hospital bills' and links a Financial Assistance Policy and Income and Discount Schedule; no FPL percentage is printed on the page itself. CAVEAT: an in-county hospital, Washington County Memorial Hospital in Potosi, is referenced in older sources, but no live website could be found for it - wcmh.org resolves to Windham Hospital (Connecticut), wcmh.net is Winkler County Memorial Hospital (Texas), and eight other candidate domains have no DNS. The Washington County government site lists no hospital anywhere on its pages.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

SMTS, Inc. is the rural transit provider for Washington County. It operates from its Potosi office (109 Lawrence, Potosi, MO 63664). Local: Monday, entire county, service to Potosi; appointments 8 am - 3 pm, reserved no more than one week ahead and no later than 12:00 pm the day before. Long-distance group routes to St. Louis, St. Francois County and Jefferson County; appointments 10 am - 2 pm, call at least 2 business days ahead, plan to be on the vehicle all day. Base fares: $8 in town, $18 in county, $32 adjoining county; suggested 60+ contribution $4 / $9 / $20. Medicaid NEMT rides free via MTM, 1-866-269-5927. 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 1-573-438-3735 for schedules, eligibility, or to book a ride.

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