Senior benefits in Hancock County, Ohio

Hancock County emergency aid: (1) Hancock County Job and Family Services for Ohio Works First (TANF), Disability Financial Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and Ohio Medicaid; (2) Hancock Hardin Wyandot Putnam Community Action Commission (HHWP CAC) 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 Hancock County residents: Hancock Hardin Wyandot Putnam Community Action Commission (HHWP CAC) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Hancock County (serves Hancock, Hardin, Wyandot, Putnam). 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

Hancock County hospital safety net: Hancock = Blanchard Valley Health System (Findlay, INDEPENDENT integrated regional) — the NW-central anchor reaching into Putnam County via Bluffton Hospital. 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://bvhealthsystem.org/. Phone: 419-423-4500.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Hancock: Hancock = Blanchard Valley Health System (Findlay, INDEPENDENT integrated regional) — the NW-central anchor reaching into Putnam County via Bluffton Hospital. Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.

Hancock 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

HATS (Hancock Area Transportation Service, overseen by HHWP Community Action Commission) — a Section 5311 rural public transit system providing low-cost demand-response rides anywhere in Hancock County (Findlay). Trips within Findlay $1.50, outside Findlay within the county $2.50; with an approved application, elderly and disabled riders pay HALF fare. Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Apply with HATS (419-423-7261) for the half-fare elderly/disabled card; reserve demand-response rides ahead.

$200–$2,000/yr