Senior benefits in Forsyth County, North Carolina

The Piedmont Triad Regional Council Area Agency on Aging serves older adults age 60 and older and their caregivers in Forsyth 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 Forsyth 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

In this county: Forsyth: LIEAP pays a one-time amount (often $300-$500) toward heating; LIEAP/CIP are income-based and first-come while funds last. Apply via ePASS (epass.nc.gov) or Forsyth County DSS.

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is the main academic hospital serving Forsyth County, and Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center also serves Winston-Salem. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist offers financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care to North Carolina residents who show financial need. Eligible patients are never billed more than the amounts generally billed to insured patients. Apply online or ask for an application at the hospital's billing office.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Forsyth: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist financial assistance covers emergency and medically necessary care; the award depends on household income and the hospital's published policy. Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center has its own financial-assistance policy.

Forsyth County residents who are age 60 or older or who have a disability can ride for less. WSTA's Half Fare Program gives seniors 60 and older, Medicare cardholders, and people with disabilities half-price fares on the fixed-route bus with a free WSTA ID card. Riders who cannot use the fixed-route bus because of a disability can use Trans-AID, a door-to-door shared ride that meets ADA requirements. Call WSTA to request a half-fare application or Trans-AID eligibility.

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

In this county: Forsyth: WSTA half fare requires a free WSTA ID card; Trans-AID paratransit requires an approved eligibility application.