Senior benefits in Alamance County, North Carolina

The Piedmont Triad Regional Council Area Agency on Aging serves older adults age 60 and older and their caregivers in Alamance County. It plans and funds local aging services such as congregate and home-delivered meals, family caregiver support and respite, the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) for Medicare counseling, options counseling for long-term care, the long-term care ombudsman, and senior center programs. Call the Area Agency on Aging to find out what is offered locally.

Estimated service value: $1,000–$6,000 a year

North Carolina's Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) gives a one-time payment toward heating costs, and the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) helps when a household faces a heating or cooling emergency. Both are run by Alamance County DSS. Households with an older adult (60+) or a person with a disability can apply starting December 1; other eligible households apply starting in January, until funds run out. Apply online through ePASS at epass.nc.gov, by phone, or at the county DSS office.

Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,500 a year

Cone Health Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington is the main hospital serving Alamance County. As part of Cone Health, it offers financial assistance (charity care) for medically necessary care to North Carolina residents who cannot afford to pay. Per Cone Health's published Financial Assistance Program summary, patients with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines receive a 100% discount (free care), and those between 201% and 400% qualify for partial discounts. Patients enrolled in Medicaid or other means-tested public assistance, or experiencing homelessness, are presumed eligible for 100% assistance without applying, and all uninsured patients automatically receive an uninsured discount. Download the application at conehealth.com, mail it to Cone Health Patient Accounting (1200 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27401), call 336-832-8014, or apply in person at any Cone Health facility.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Alamance County Transportation Authority runs door-to-door, demand-response vans that meet ADA requirements and serve all of Alamance County. The Dial-A-Ride fare-assistance program, sponsored by the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services, helps residents age 60 and older with reduced-cost rides to medical visits, shopping, and other trips. Riders with a disability are also served. Call ACTA to schedule a ride or ask about Dial-A-Ride.

Estimated service value: $200–$1,500 a year

In this county: Alamance: ACTA is demand-response (call ahead to schedule); the Dial-A-Ride senior program covers residents 60+ and fares vary by trip.