Senior benefits in Franklin County, Ohio

Franklin County Senior Options (FCSO) helps residents 60+ maintain independence: homemaker services, home-delivered meals, personal care assistance, transportation, emergency response systems, adult day services, incontinence supplies, nutritional supplements, durable medical equipment (614-525-6200). Layered referrals: Franklin County Job and Family Services (Ohio Works First, emergency assistance, Medicaid); IMPACT Community Action (HEAP/PIPP+); COAAA case management; hospital FAP + HCAP; Catholic Social Services / Salvation Army / LSS; Mid-Ohio Food Collective; Ohio 2-1-1.

$200–$3,000/yr

Ohio HEAP for Franklin County residents: IMPACT Community Action (Columbus) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Franklin County. 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

Franklin County hospital safety net: Franklin = OhioHealth (Grant trauma + Riverside, Columbus headquarters) + OSU Wexner (Ohio State academic) + Mount Carmel (Trinity Catholic) — three-system competition in OhioHealth's home county. 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.ohiohealth.com/billing-insurance/pay-your-bill/financial-assistance. Phone: 614-566-5594.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Franklin: Franklin = OhioHealth (Grant trauma + Riverside, Columbus headquarters) + OSU Wexner (Ohio State academic) + Mount Carmel (Trinity Catholic) — three-system competition in OhioHealth's home county. Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.

In-home care for veterans who want to stay in their own home and choose who provides their care — often a family member, who is paid for the care they give. The local VA Medical Center approves a monthly spending budget; COAAA handles the case management and coordinates the in-home services, which can include meal preparation, personal care, homemaking, and medication administration. Referrals come to COAAA through the VA Medical Center, so start by asking the veteran's VA care team about Veteran-Directed Care, or call COAAA at 800-589-7277.

Franklin County AAA = Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA). 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 614-645-7250.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) serves Franklin County and Columbus. Discount Fare Program = 50% off fixed-route fares for riders 65+, Medicare cardholders, veterans, riders with disabilities, and SSDI recipients; apply in person at the COTA Customer Experience Center with documentation. COTA Mainstream = ADA paratransit. CMAX BRT runs the Cleveland Avenue corridor. Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Apply in person at the COTA Customer Experience Center with photo ID + Medicare card or proof of eligibility.

$200–$2,000/yr