Senior benefits in Mahoning County, Ohio
Mahoning County, Ohio seniors and their caregivers have access to a wide range of benefit programs — local, state, and federal. Area Agency on Aging 11 (AAA11) is the designated local agency serving this area and is a strong starting point for help. Through AAA11, seniors can connect with PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver enrollment, OSHIIP Medicare counseling, and other support services. For home energy costs, Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership (MYCAP) administers HEAP, PIPP Plus, and the Winter Crisis Program locally. Seniors who need affordable transportation can use Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA), which offers reduced fares for riders 65 and older. Hospital financial assistance is available through Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Youngstown, Mercy Health Boardman, and Northside Medical Center. State programs like the Ohio Homestead Exemption and Medicare Savings Programs may also reduce costs. Dozens of federal programs apply here as well. Each listing below includes its official source and the date it was last verified — the administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
5
Local programs
18
Ohio programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Local starting point
Area Agency on Aging 11 (AAA11) — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III. One of Ohio's 12 PSA AAAs (Planning and Service Areas), most of which are multi-county.
330-746-2938
See which of these Mahoning County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Mahoning County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Mahoning County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Mahoning County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Mahoning County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyMahoning County emergency aid: (1) Mahoning County Job and Family Services for Ohio Works First (TANF), Disability Financial Assistance, Emergency Assistance, Ohio Medicaid (330-740-4600); (2) Area Agency on Aging 11 (AAA11) for senior-specific case management (330-746-2938); (3) hospital FAP for healthcare safety-net (330-746-7211); (4) Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership (MYCAP) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Mahoning County for HEAP/PIPP+; (5) Catholic Charities / Salvation Army / Society of St. Vincent de Paul; (6) regional food bank; (7) Ohio 2-1-1 for general referrals.
$200–$3,000/yr
Mahoning County HEAP/PIPP+ Administering Agency — Home Energy Assistance (Mahoning County)
CountyOhio HEAP for Mahoning County residents: Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership (MYCAP) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Mahoning 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
In this county: Mahoning: HEAP delivery via Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership (MYCAP) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Mahoning County. PIPP+ + Winter Crisis layer on top.
Healthcare
Programs here are typically worth $500–$30,000 a year to an eligible household.
Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Youngstown (Bon Secours Mercy) + Mercy Health Boardman + Steward Northside (Youngstown) — Financial Assistance (Mahoning County)
CountyMahoning County hospital safety net is Mahoning = Mercy St. Elizabeth Youngstown (Bon Secours Mercy flagship) + Mercy Boardman + Northside Medical Center (post-Steward 2024). Mercy-dominant.. 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: 330-746-7211.
$500–$30,000/yr
In this county: Mahoning: Mahoning = Mercy St. Elizabeth Youngstown (Bon Secours Mercy flagship) + Mercy Boardman + Northside Medical Center (post-Steward 2024). Mercy-dominant.. Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging 11 (AAA11) — Title III + OSHIIP + PASSPORT Enrollment (Mahoning County)
CountyMahoning County AAA = Area Agency on Aging 11 (AAA11). 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 AAA at 330-746-2938 or emailing info@dheo.org.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) (Mahoning County)
CountyWRTA (Western Reserve Transit Authority) bus service is currently fare-free for ALL riders — 'Ride Free! No Fare Required' on every fixed route across the Youngstown area (Youngstown, Austintown, Boardman, Liberty, Struthers, and countywide service). Riders 65 and older (and riders with disabilities) also qualify for WRTA's ADA All-Access curb-to-curb scheduled service, which is likewise free. Contact WRTA at 604 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown, or call 330-744-8431.
$200–$2,000/yr
Ohio and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Mahoning County and across the rest of Ohio. Full details are on the Ohio benefits page.
Emergency Aid
- County Veterans Service Commission Emergency Financial Assistance (All 88 Ohio Counties)StateOfficial source →
- HEAP — Home Energy Assistance Program (Ohio)State$200–$1,500/yrOfficial source →
- PIPP Plus — Percentage of Income Payment Plan PlusState$500–$3,000/yrOfficial source →
- Winter Crisis Program (WCP) — Emergency Heating AidState$175–$750/yrOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) — OhioState$200–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- Ohio Medicaid — Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD)State$4,000–$30,000/yrOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB/SLMB/QI) — OhioState$2,000–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- OSHIIP — Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (Medicare Counseling)StateOfficial source →
- PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver — Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources TodayState$8,000–$60,000/yrOfficial source →
Home Care
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)State$30,000–$80,000/yrOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
Housing Assistance
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrOfficial source →
Long Term Care
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
Nutrition
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- Free VA Claims Assistance from Ohio County Veterans Service OfficersStateOfficial source →
- Ohio Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Disabled VeteransStateOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federalup to $1,125/yrOfficial source →
- Ohio Enhanced Homestead Exemption for 100% Disabled Veterans (No Income Test)State$800–$930/yrOfficial source →
- Ohio Homestead Exemption — Senior Property Tax ReductionState$200–$1,200/yrOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrOfficial source →
Nearby counties
County programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.