Senior benefits in Stark County, Ohio
Stark County, Ohio seniors and their families have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs and long-term care needs. Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities is the local starting point for many of these resources, including Title III support services, OSHIIP Medicare counseling, and PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver enrollment. Stark County Community Action Agency administers home energy help through HEAP, PIPP Plus, and the Winter Crisis Program for residents facing heating costs. Seniors who need transportation can look into Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA), which offers reduced fares for riders 65 and older. Aultman Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Mercy, and Mercy Medical Center each offer financial assistance programs for those who qualify. State programs like the Ohio Homestead Exemption and Ohio Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program add further support. Federal programs also apply here. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, and the administering agency makes the final eligibility decision.
5
Local programs
18
Ohio programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Local starting point
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities — 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.
330-633-4045
See which of these Stark County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Stark 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 Stark County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Stark County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Stark County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyStark County emergency aid: (1) Stark County Job and Family Services for Ohio Works First (TANF), Disability Financial Assistance, Emergency Assistance, Ohio Medicaid (330-451-8722); (2) Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities for senior-specific case management (330-633-4045); (3) hospital FAP for healthcare safety-net (330-452-9911); (4) Stark County Community Action Agency is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Stark 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
Stark County HEAP/PIPP+ Administering Agency — Home Energy Assistance (Stark County)
CountyOhio HEAP for Stark County residents: Stark County Community Action Agency is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Stark 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
Healthcare
Programs here are typically worth $500–$30,000 a year to an eligible household.
Aultman Hospital (Canton INDEPENDENT) + Cleveland Clinic Mercy + Mercy Medical Center — Financial Assistance (Stark County)
CountyStark County hospital safety net is Stark = Aultman (Canton INDEPENDENT) + Cleveland Clinic Mercy (CC since 2021). Independent vs CC dynamic similar to Summit.. 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://aultman.org/home/patients-and-visitors/insurance-and-billing/financial-assistance/. Phone: 330-363-2200.
$500–$30,000/yr
In this county: Stark: Stark = Aultman (Canton INDEPENDENT) + Cleveland Clinic Mercy (CC since 2021). Independent vs CC dynamic similar to Summit.. 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.
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities — Title III + OSHIIP + PASSPORT Enrollment (Stark County)
CountyStark County AAA = Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities. 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 330-633-4045 or emailing info@dhad.org.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) (Stark County)
CountyStark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) serves Stark County. SARTA serves Stark County (Canton, Massillon, Alliance, North Canton). Senior fare 65+ ($0.75 vs $1.50). ProLine paratransit for ADA. Senior Citizen Reduced Fare Card application at SARTA Cornerstone Centre.. Ohio counties operate independent transit authorities — fare structure varies. Apply at the local transit authority customer service center with photo ID + Medicare card.
$200–$2,000/yr
Ohio and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Stark 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.