Senior benefits in New Hanover County, North Carolina

The Cape Fear Area Agency on Aging serves older adults age 60 and older and their family caregivers in New Hanover 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 learn 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 New Hanover 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 January 1, 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

Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington is the main hospital serving New Hanover County. Novant Health offers financial assistance (charity care) for medically necessary services to patients who cannot afford to pay, plus uninsured discounts. Apply through MyChart, by mail, or by calling the financial assistance line at 1-844-266-8268, Option 3.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Wave Transit runs fixed-route buses in Wilmington and New Hanover County and offers a reduced one-way fare for riders who are seniors, who have a disability, or who use Medicare. DART (Dial-A-Ride Transportation) is the ADA complementary paratransit service for riders who cannot use the fixed-route bus because of a disability. Call DART at 910-202-2053 to apply for paratransit, or call customer service at 910-343-0106 to ask about the reduced fare.

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

In this county: New Hanover: Wave Transit offers a reduced fixed-route fare for seniors, Medicare card holders, and riders with a disability; DART paratransit requires ADA eligibility and is for riders who cannot use the regular bus.