Senior benefits in Cumberland County, North Carolina

The Mid-Carolina Area Agency on Aging serves adults age 60 and older and their caregivers in Cumberland 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 Cumberland 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

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville is the main public safety-net hospital serving Cumberland County. Cape Fear Valley Health gives full charity (free) care to patients whose household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, and a sliding-scale discount of 25% to 75% for income between 201% and 500% of the federal poverty guidelines. Ask for a financial assistance application or call the financial assistance office.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Home Care Independence lets Cumberland County residents age 60 and older hire a family member, friend or other person of their choice as a paid personal assistant. The assistant helps with personal care such as bathing and dressing, and with home tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry and shopping. A care advisor helps you plan and direct your own care, and a payroll service pays the assistant. Call Mid-Carolina Area Agency on Aging at 910-323-4191 ext. 35 to ask about openings.

Cumberland County Council on Older Adults makes minor repairs and safety improvements to the homes of Cumberland 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 Cumberland County Council on Older Adults at 910-484-0111 to apply.

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

The Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST) serves Cumberland County. Riders age 65 and older and people with a qualifying disability can ride FAST fixed-route buses at a reduced fare with a FAST photo ID. FASTTrac is the ADA paratransit service for people who cannot use the fixed-route buses because of a disability; it provides origin-to-destination shared rides. Call FAST to get a reduced-fare photo ID or to apply for FASTTrac paratransit.

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

In this county: Cumberland: FAST reduced fare is for riders 65+ and people with a qualifying disability (FAST photo ID required); FASTTrac paratransit requires an ADA eligibility determination.