Senior benefits in Union County, Ohio
Seniors in Union County, Ohio, and their family caregivers have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, energy costs, transportation, and more. The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) serves as the local starting point for connecting Union County residents to programs like PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver and OSHIIP Medicare counseling. UCATS — Union County Agency Transportation Service — provides rides to medical and personal appointments for residents 60 and older living independently. The Union County Senior Services Levy also funds emergency aid and coordinates senior support across the county. Memorial Health in Marysville offers a financial assistance program for those who need help with hospital costs. State programs such as the Ohio Homestead Exemption, HEAP, PIPP Plus, and the Winter Crisis Program may also apply. Dozens of federal programs are listed here as well. Each program listing below includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
6
Local programs
18
Ohio programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Local starting point
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) — designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for PSA 6, operated by the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and serving 8 counties: Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, Union. DISTINCTIVE — a city government department serves as the AAA for an 8-county region. One of Ohio's 12 PSA AAAs, most of which are multi-county.
614-645-7250
See which of these Union County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Union 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 Union County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Union County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Union County Senior Services Levy + Emergency Aid (Union County)
CountyUnion County senior services are funded by a dedicated Senior Services Sales Tax Levy: UCATS transportation for residents 60+, senior programming, and case coordination. Layered referrals: Union County Job and Family Services (emergency assistance, Medicaid, UCATS medical trips for Medicaid recipients); Bridges Community Action Partnership (HEAP/PIPP+); COAAA (614-645-7250); Memorial Health FAP + HCAP; Ohio 2-1-1.
$200–$3,000/yr
Union County HEAP/PIPP+ Administering Agency — Home Energy Assistance (Union County)
CountyOhio HEAP for Union County residents: Bridges Community Action Partnership (formerly Community Action Organization of Delaware, Madison and Union Counties) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency — a 6-COUNTY agency serving Champaign, Delaware, Logan, Madison, Shelby, and Union counties. 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.
Memorial Health (Marysville, INDEPENDENT) — Financial Assistance (Union County)
CountyUnion County hospital safety net: Union = Memorial Health (Marysville, INDEPENDENT 99-bed) — small independent thriving in fast-growing Honda country. 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.memorialohio.com/. Phone: 937-644-6115.
$500–$30,000/yr
In this county: Union: Union = Memorial Health (Marysville, INDEPENDENT 99-bed) — small independent thriving in fast-growing Honda country. Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.
Home Care
Veteran-Directed Care (VDC) — Union County
CountyIn-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.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) — Title III + OSHIIP + PASSPORT Enrollment (Union County)
CountyUnion 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
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
UCATS — Union County Agency Transportation Service (Union County)
CountyUCATS (Union County Agency Transportation Service, 940 London Ave, Marysville) — county agency transporting residents to medical, personal, and work appointments. ALL Union County residents 60+ living independently are eligible; trips funded by the Union County Senior Services Sales Tax Levy and COAAA. 24-hour notice in-county, 72 hours out-of-county. Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Call 937-642-5100 to register and schedule; residents 60+ qualify via the Senior Services Levy.
$200–$2,000/yr
Ohio and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Union 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.
