Senior benefits in Mercer County, Ohio
Seniors in Mercer County, Ohio, and their family caregivers have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, home energy costs, transportation, and more. Area Agency on Aging 3, based in Lima, is the local starting point for many of these services — connecting Mercer County residents to programs like PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver enrollment, OSHIIP Medicare counseling, and senior transportation for medical appointments and essential errands. Mercer Health, the county's public hospital with offices across the area, offers financial assistance for those who need help covering medical costs. The Mercer County HEAP administering agency in Celina can help with home energy bills through HEAP, PIPP Plus, and the Winter Crisis Program. Mercer County Emergency Aid referral coordination brings together multiple local agencies to connect residents with urgent help. State programs like the Ohio Homestead Exemption and Ohio Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program also apply here, along with dozens of federal programs. Each listing below includes its official source and the date it was last verified — the administering agency makes the final eligibility decision.
5
Local programs
18
Ohio programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Local starting point
Area Agency on Aging 3 (Lima) — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for PSA 3 (West Central / Lower Northwestern Ohio), serving 7 counties: Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam, Van Wert. One of Ohio's 12 PSA AAAs, most of which are multi-county.
419-222-7723
See which of these Mercer County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Mercer 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 Mercer County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Mercer County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Mercer County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyMercer County emergency aid: (1) Mercer County Job and Family Services for Ohio Works First (TANF), Disability Financial Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and Ohio Medicaid; (2) the Mercer County HEAP administering agency (Celina) 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
Mercer County HEAP/PIPP+ Administering Agency — Home Energy Assistance (Mercer County)
CountyOhio HEAP for Mercer County residents: The Mercer County HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency (420 N. Brandon Ave., Celina) delivers Ohio HEAP for Mercer County residents. 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
Healthcare
Programs here are typically worth $500–$30,000 a year to an eligible household.
Mercer Health (Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater) — Financial Assistance (Mercer County)
CountyMercer County hospital safety net: Mercer = Mercer Health (Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater — a public county district hospital) anchoring the Grand Lake / Celina area. 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://mercer-health.com/. Phone: 419-678-2341.
$500–$30,000/yr
In this county: Mercer: Mercer = Mercer Health (Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater — a public county district hospital) anchoring the Grand Lake / Celina area. 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 3 — Title III + OSHIIP + PASSPORT Enrollment (Mercer County)
CountyMercer 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
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Mercer County Senior Transportation (Area Agency on Aging 3) (Mercer County)
CountyMercer County senior transportation is coordinated and funded through Area Agency on Aging 3, providing rides to medical appointments and essential errands for residents 60+ (Celina / Coldwater). Reduced senior fares. Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Call Area Agency on Aging 3 (419-222-7723) to arrange Mercer County senior transportation.
$200–$2,000/yr
Ohio and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Mercer 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.