Senior benefits in Bladen County, North Carolina

The Lumber River Area Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Bladen County (Elizabethtown). It is the local entry point that connects older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities to in-home aide services, home-delivered and group meals, transportation, family caregiver support, benefits and insurance counseling (SHIIP), and the Medicaid in-home care waivers. Services are aimed at adults 60 and older, with priority for those in the greatest need. Call the Area Agency on Aging at 910-618-5533 to get started.

Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year

North Carolina's Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) helps income-eligible Bladen County households pay heating bills, and the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) helps when a heating or cooling emergency or shutoff is imminent. Both are run locally by the Bladen County Department of Social Services. Households where someone is 60 or older or has a disability can apply early each season (starting in December), and all other households apply starting in January until funds run out. Apply online at ePASS (https://epass.nc.gov), or contact Bladen County DSS at 910-862-6800.

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

Cape Fear Valley Bladen County Hospital in Elizabethtown is the main hospital serving Bladen County and is part of Cape Fear Valley Health. Its financial assistance program provides free or discounted care to qualifying patients. Patients at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines receive full charity assistance, and a sliding-scale discount of 25% to 75% is available for household income between 201% and 500% of the guidelines. Patient Financial Services can help. Call 910-615-6141 to apply or ask questions.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$18,000 a year

Minor home repairs and modifications for adults 60 and older who are unable to pay for the needed repairs, done with the help of volunteers. Services can include new door handles and deadbolt locks, fire/smoke detectors, repair or replacement of damaged doors and windows, fixing leaking faucets, pipes, or toilets, hot water heater replacement or draining, ramps, new steps, hand railings, grab bars, and replacement of non-working appliances. Priority goes to low-income disabled adults in greatest need. Contact the Aging Specialist at 910-775-9759 to apply.

The Bladen Area Rural Transportation System (BARTS) is the county's community transportation service for Bladen County (Elizabethtown). It provides general transportation for senior adults to nutrition sites and local shopping, plus medical transportation for seniors and the general public, Monday through Friday. Fares vary by in-county and out-of-county distance. Rides are scheduled in advance; call BARTS at 910-862-6930.

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

In this county: This is a demand-response community transportation service reserved in advance; fares vary on a sliding scale by distance and trip availability depends on capacity and grant funding, so this shows as a may-qualify result.