Senior benefits in Catawba County, North Carolina

The Western Piedmont Area Agency on Aging serves older adults age 60 and older and their caregivers in Catawba 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 aide and adult protective services. 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 the Catawba 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. In Catawba County, energy assistance applications are taken by Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry (Ashure Ministry) on behalf of the county DSS. Apply online through ePASS at epass.nc.gov, by phone, or at the county DSS office.

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

Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory is a main hospital serving Catawba County. It offers financial assistance (charity care) for emergency and medically necessary care to patients who cannot afford to pay, based on the federal poverty guidelines and family size. Frye Regional Medical Center, also in Hickory, runs its own financial assistance program for area residents. Ask the hospital for a financial assistance application or call patient financial services to apply.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Catawba: Catawba Valley Health System financial assistance uses a scale based on the federal poverty guidelines (its policy references up to 300% of the guidelines); award depends on household income and family size. Frye Regional Medical Center has a separate policy.

Foothills Service Project makes minor repairs and safety improvements to the homes of Catawba 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 Foothills Service Project at 828-879-8400 to apply.

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

Greenway Public Transportation provides bus service to Catawba County residents. Service includes the Catawba County fixed-route buses in the Hickory, Conover, and Newton area (the system formerly known as Piedmont Wagon) plus county-wide demand-response and ADA paratransit trips. Riders age 65 or older ride at a reduced fare (about $0.60 per trip) by showing a Medicare card or a half-fare card, and riders with a disability can use ADA paratransit and demand-response rides. Call Greenway dispatch at 828-464-9444 to schedule a trip or ask about fares and passes.

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