Senior benefits in Columbia County, Oregon
4
Local programs
9
Oregon programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Community Action Team (Columbia County Area Agency on Aging)
1-503-366-6581
See which of these Columbia County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Columbia 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 Columbia County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Columbia County. Start here.
Elder Services in Columbia County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Community Action Team — Columbia County Area Agency on Aging) — Columbia
CountyCommunity Action Team (CAT) is the Columbia County Area Agency on Aging. Its senior case managers help older adults stay independent at home with options counseling, case management, home-delivered meals for people 60 and over, caregiver support and respite, Oregon Project Independence, money management, and the Aging and Disability Resource Connection. Call 503-366-6581 or 1-855-673-2372.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Columbia County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $250–$1,750 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Community Action Team (CAT)) — Columbia
CountyThe Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and electric bills for electricity, natural gas, oil, pellets, propane, and wood, and can help with furnace repair or replacement. Community Action Team (CAT) runs the program for Columbia, Clatsop, and Tillamook Counties. Households with income at or below 60% of Oregon's state median income can apply. Contact Community Action Team, 125 North 17th Street, St. Helens, at 503-397-3511. Help depends on available funds; CAT keeps a winter mailing list when regular LIHEAP is closed.
Estimated bill savings: $250–$1,750 a year
Healthcare in Columbia County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Legacy Emanuel Medical Center — nearest hospital) — Columbia
CountyColumbia County has no hospital. The nearest large hospitals are in Portland, including Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. Legacy Health offers financial assistance on a sliding scale to patients with income below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level who have no insurance, not enough insurance, or a balance they cannot pay. In 2026, care is free for income up to 300% of poverty ($47,880 a year for one person), and 75% off from 301% to 400%. Apply online through MyHealth, by mail, by fax, or in person at any Legacy facility. Questions: call 503-413-4048.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Columbia County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Dial-a-Ride (Columbia County Rider) — Columbia
CountyColumbia County Rider (CC Rider), Columbia County's public transit system, runs a curb-to-curb Dial-a-Ride service. Call the dispatch office at 503-366-0159 to schedule a pickup time, date, and place; dispatch must confirm each trip. New riders fill out a registration form and acknowledge the rider's guide. The registration form has options for seniors (65+) and people with disabilities.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Columbia County
Who runs the county programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.
Community Action Team (Columbia County Area Agency on Aging)
Community Action Team (CAT)
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Community Action Team (CAT))
Legacy Emanuel Medical Center (Legacy Health)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Legacy Emanuel Medical Center
Columbia County Rider (CC Rider)
Oregon and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Columbia County and across the rest of Oregon. Full details are on the Oregon benefits page.
Elder Services
- SHIBA — free Medicare counseling (Oregon SHIP)State$100–$2,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- LIHEAP and Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP)State$250–$1,750/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP food benefits (Oregon)State$288–$3,576/yrCashOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) for people 65+, blind, or disabled (OSIPM)State$2,000–$15,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Home Care
- Oregon Project Independence (OPI and OPI-M) — in-home helpState$1,000–$12,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Medicaid long-term care services (in-home, community, and facility care)State$5,000–$30,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI/SMF)State$2,400–$5,000/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federal$0–$1,125/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Property Tax Deferral for Disabled and Senior HomeownersState$1,000–$6,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Oregon income tax breaks for older adults (retirement income credit, age 65+ deduction, medical subtraction)State$0–$600/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrCashOfficial 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.