Senior benefits in Comanche County, Oklahoma

The ASCOG Area Agency on Aging, based in Duncan, serves adults 60 and older, family caregivers, and grandparents raising grandchildren in Comanche County and seven other south-central Oklahoma counties. Services include information and help finding programs, meals at senior nutrition centers and home-delivered meals, caregiver support such as respite and chore services, free Medicare counseling, free civil legal help through Legal Aid of Oklahoma, the long-term care ombudsman, and rides through Red River Transportation (1-800-524-5552). In Comanche County, senior meals are provided by CADC Nutrition at 580-342-6967. For information and assistance, call 580-736-7965.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

The Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS, often called DHS) Human Services Center for Comanche County is at 10 SW 2nd St, Lawton, OK 73501, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EBT cards are available there. Older adults and people with disabilities can get help applying for SNAP food benefits, SoonerCare (Medicaid for people 65 or older or with a disability), and energy help through LIHEAP. Many services can also be done online at okdhslive.org. For help with benefits applications, call 405-522-5050. To report abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult (Adult Protective Services), call 1-800-522-3511.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Memorial Health System of Southwest Oklahoma (Comanche County Memorial Hospital) in Lawton offers financial assistance for emergency and other medically necessary care for people with low incomes who have no insurance or not enough insurance. Patients with family incomes at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level can get a 100% charity care write-off of the part of the bill they owe, and incomes from 151% to 300% can get discounted rates on a sliding scale. To apply, fill out a financial assistance application and send the documents asked for to show financial need. For help, call Comanche County Patient Access Financial Services at 580-699-7361 (3401 W. Gore Blvd, Lawton).

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The Lawton Area Transit System (LATS) runs city bus routes in Lawton. People who have a Medicare card, are 62 or older, or have a disability can apply for an MD card or Senior Card, which lets them pay half of the full adult fare: $0.75 a ride instead of $1.50 (with a LATS photo ID). A senior and medical-disabled 31-day pass is $22.00. LATS also offers ADA para-transit rides for people whose disability keeps them from using the regular buses; apply with the inquiry form on the LATS website. Buses run Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 580-248-5252.

Estimated service value: $50–$300 a year

In this county: Reduced fares need an approved LATS MD or Senior Card; para-transit eligibility is decided by LATS under the ADA. Service is within the Lawton routes.