Senior benefits in Allen County, Ohio

Allen County emergency aid: (1) Allen County Job and Family Services for Ohio Works First (TANF), Disability Financial Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and Ohio Medicaid; (2) West Ohio Community Action Partnership (WOCAP) for HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis utility help; (3) Area Agency on Aging 3 for senior case management, Title III meals, and PASSPORT enrollment (419-222-7723 / 800-653-7723); (4) the county hospital FAP + Ohio HCAP for healthcare safety-net; (5) Catholic Charities / Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul; (6) regional food bank; (7) Ohio 2-1-1 for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

Ohio HEAP for Allen County residents: West Ohio Community Action Partnership (WOCAP) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Allen County (also serves Auglaize and Hardin). Income limit: 175% FPL (~$27,930 single). Apply via energyhelp.ohio.gov, by calling 1-800-282-0880, or at the local administering agency. PIPP+ (ongoing 6%-of-income utility plan) + Winter Crisis Program (Nov-March emergency tier) layer on top.

$200–$1,500/yr

Allen County hospital safety net: Allen = Mercy Health St. Rita's (Bon Secours Mercy regional trauma center) + Lima Memorial Health System (INDEPENDENT) — the two-system Lima market. Ohio's Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP) requires hospitals receiving HCAP funds (essentially all Ohio acute-care hospitals) to provide basic, medically necessary hospital-level services free of charge to Ohio residents at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own Financial Assistance Program (typically sliding to 200-400% FPL) layers above HCAP. Apply at the hospital financial counseling office or at https://www.mercy.com/patient-resources/billing-insurance/financial-assistance. Phone: 419-227-3361.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Allen: Allen = Mercy Health St. Rita's (Bon Secours Mercy regional trauma center) + Lima Memorial Health System (INDEPENDENT) — the two-system Lima market. Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.

Allen County AAA = Area Agency on Aging 3 (Lima). Services include: Title III Congregate + Home-Delivered Meals; OSHIIP (Medicare counseling); PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver enrollment + assessment; National Family Caregiver Support Program; Ohio Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program; Long-Term Care Options Counseling. Apply by calling the AAA at 419-222-7723 or 800-653-7723.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

Allen County Regional Transit Authority (ACRTA) serves Lima and Allen County with fixed-route bus service. UPLIFT is a discounted door-to-door service ($2 one-way) for riders 65+ and riders with disabilities who cannot use the fixed route (application + assessment, approved within 21 days). Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Apply for UPLIFT eligibility (65+) for the discounted $2 door-to-door service; fixed-route ACRTA is open to all.

$200–$2,000/yr