Senior benefits in Warren County, North Carolina

The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging serves older adults age 60 and older and their caregivers in Warren 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 Warren 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

Warren County does not have its own acute-care hospital. The nearest hospital is Maria Parham Health in Henderson, about a 25-minute drive from Warrenton. Maria Parham Health maintains a written Financial Assistance Policy that provides free or discounted emergency and medically necessary care to patients who cannot afford to pay, based on household income versus the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Ask Patient Financial Services for an application.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Warren: no in-county hospital; the nearest is Maria Parham Health in Henderson (Vance County), which gives free or discounted care based on household income versus the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The hospital makes the final decision.

Help with urgent home repairs for homeowners in Warren County. Covered work can include roof repair or replacement, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, accessibility improvements, lead paint remediation, siding, doors, and other general improvements. Kerr-Tar is accepting applications now. Priority goes to older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, single parents, large families, and households with young children exposed to lead hazards. Download the application from the Kerr-Tar website and submit it with income verification, or call (252) 436-2040.

The Kerr Area Transportation Authority, known as KARTS, runs door-to-door, demand-response vans that meet ADA requirements and serve all of Warren County as part of its five-county region. Older adults age 60 and older and riders with a disability can get reduced-cost or program-sponsored rides to medical visits, the senior center, shopping, and other trips. Call KARTS ahead of time to schedule a ride or ask about senior and disability fare programs.

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