Senior benefits in Cabarrus County, North Carolina

The Centralina Area Agency on Aging serves adults age 60 and older and their caregivers in Cabarrus County. Services include 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 links to in-home and adult day services. Call the Area Agency on Aging to find out what is available 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 the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services. 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

Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord is the main hospital serving Cabarrus County. Atrium Health gives free care to patients with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, and an automatic 50% discount to uninsured patients. Apply by asking for a financial assistance application or calling the billing office.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Helps veterans of any age stay safely at home instead of in a long-term care facility. The veteran gets a monthly budget for long-term services and supports and can hire, schedule and supervise their own caregivers — family members, friends, or professional caregivers. Available to veterans enrolled in VA health care who meet the clinical criteria for long-term services and supports. To get started, talk to your social worker or primary care provider at your VA Medical Center; they confirm eligibility and start enrollment. Centralina Aging: 704-372-2416 or 1-800-508-5777.

Cabarrus County Department of Commerce makes minor repairs and safety improvements to the homes of Cabarrus County residents age 60 and older who have no one able and willing to do the work for them. Depending on what the local provider offers, help can include security improvements, minor home repairs, ramps, grab bars and other accessibility changes, and repair or replacement of basic furnishings and appliances. Renters can qualify with written permission from the landlord. Help is limited to $7,000 per person each program year. Call Cabarrus County Department of Commerce at 704-920-2142 to apply.

Estimated service value: $0–$7,000 a year

Rider Transit serves Concord, Kannapolis, and Cabarrus County. Seniors, Medicare card holders, and people with disabilities ride the fixed-route buses at a reduced fare with a Reduced Fare ID Card. Rider Transit also runs a low-cost ADA paratransit service, door to door, for residents who cannot use the regular buses because of a disability. Call Rider Transit to get a reduced-fare card or to apply for paratransit.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

In this county: Cabarrus: Rider Transit gives a reduced fare to seniors, Medicare holders, and people with disabilities; ADA paratransit requires an eligibility determination.