Senior benefits in Clark County, Nevada

Clark County Social Service (CCSS) runs a Senior Services program for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. Services include homemaker services, adult day care, and long-term care help. The Homemaker Home Health Aide program helps with grocery and medicine shopping, meal preparation, laundry, bathing and light house cleaning. The Long Term Care program helps Clark County residents who can no longer live on their own find care in adult day health care, adult group care and assisted living, or a nursing home. The Alternative Health Care program helps people move from the hospital back home. Programs are income-based and eligibility is checked every year. Call 702-455-4270, Monday through Friday. For help finding other aging and disability services, the Nevada Care Connection Resource Center run by Jewish Family Service Agency serves Clark County at 702-933-1191.

Estimated service value: $500–$10,000 a year

In this county: CCSS senior programs are income-based and eligibility is re-checked every year; CCSS makes the final decision. Medicaid long-term care eligibility is decided by the State of Nevada.

University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC), the public hospital in Las Vegas, has a Financial Relief Program for Clark County residents who are uninsured or underinsured and cannot pay for medically necessary care. If household income is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the family size, the patient may be eligible, and part or all of the bill may be written off. Approved patients pay a copay for each visit, and approval lasts 12 months. UMC also offers a self-pay discount to uninsured patients and payment plans. A UMC Financial Eligibility staff member meets with inpatients during the first 24 hours of their stay. For questions, call the Eligibility Financial Service team at 702-383-2350.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: The Financial Relief Program is for Clark County residents and is set by UMC's policy; UMC makes the final decision, and some services are excluded.

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) runs two services designed with senior citizens in mind. Silver STAR neighborhood routes stop at senior living communities and shopping areas and connect with regular RTC buses; riders can use transit passes, and each vehicle can carry up to two wheelchairs. Flexible Demand Response (FDR) is a door-to-door service in the Sun City Anthem, Sun City Summerlin and Centennial Hills communities. The FDR fare is $0.50 for each boarding, paid in exact change. To register for FDR, call 702-228-7433 and press 8; rides can be booked up to three days ahead. Ask the RTC about reduced fares and paratransit if you have a disability.

Estimated service value: $50–$1,000 a year

In this county: FDR is open to residents of Anthem, Sun City Summerlin and Centennial Hills who register; routes, hours and fares are set by the RTC and may change.