Senior benefits in Rockingham County, North Carolina

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

Cone Health Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville is the main hospital serving Rockingham County. As part of Cone Health, it offers financial assistance (charity care) for medically necessary care to North Carolina residents who cannot afford to pay. Per Cone Health's published Financial Assistance Program summary, patients with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines receive a 100% discount (free care), and those between 201% and 400% qualify for partial discounts. Patients enrolled in Medicaid or other means-tested public assistance, or experiencing homelessness, are presumed eligible for 100% assistance without applying, and all uninsured patients automatically receive an uninsured discount. Download the application at conehealth.com, mail it to Cone Health Patient Accounting (1200 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27401), call 336-832-8014, or apply in person at any Cone Health facility.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Aging, Disability & Transit Services of Rockingham County runs RCATS, the county's public-access transit system. RCATS provides door-to-door rides for residents to medical appointments, shopping, and other destinations, with reduced fares for older adults age 60 and older and people with disabilities through programs sponsored by the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services. An eligibility screening at first contact determines whether a fare applies. Call ADTS to schedule a ride.

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

In this county: Rockingham: RCATS is demand-response (call ahead to schedule); fares range roughly $2-$3 each way and an eligibility screening determines whether a fare applies.