Senior benefits in Malheur County, Oregon
4
Local programs
9
Oregon programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Malheur Council on Aging & Community Services (MCOACS)
1-541-889-7651
See which of these Malheur County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Malheur 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 Malheur County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Malheur County. Start here.
Elder Services in Malheur County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Malheur Council on Aging & Community Services) — Malheur
CountyMalheur Council on Aging & Community Services (MCOACS) in Ontario is the Area Agency on Aging for Malheur County. It offers case management, senior meals and Meals on Wheels, in-home help through Oregon Project Independence, family caregiver support, limited home changes for safety, and one-on-one help with forms such as Social Security papers and public housing applications. Call the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) helpline at 541-889-7651 or 1-855-673-2372 to get started.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Malheur County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $250–$1,750 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Community in Action) — Malheur
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households with home heating costs. In Malheur County, LIHEAP is run by Community in Action, which serves Harney and Malheur counties. Seniors and people with disabilities are served first, with appointments for them available on or after December 1; families with children 6 or younger are next. Both homeowners and renters can apply. Call 541-889-9555 to schedule an appointment; if you reach the answering machine, leave your name, phone number and a brief message.
Estimated bill savings: $250–$1,750 a year
Healthcare in Malheur County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Ontario) — Malheur
CountySaint Alphonsus Medical Center – Ontario, part of Saint Alphonsus Health System and Trinity Health, offers financial assistance based on family size, income, assets and insurance status. Under the Trinity Health policy, income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level can get a full discount on medically necessary care, and income between 201% and 400% may get a partial discount. You can apply before or after care. For help after a hospital or clinic visit, call Customer Service toll-free at 1-866-626-7272.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Malheur County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Door-to-Door Transit (SRT-Malheur Express, Snake River Access PLUS) — Malheur
CountySRT-Malheur Express, run by Malheur Council on Aging & Community Services, offers Snake River Access "Plus," a shared-ride, door-to-door service for the general public across all of Malheur County. It runs Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fares depend on pickup and drop-off points and are paid when you board, with exact change; personal care attendants ride free. Drivers help riders on and off, and a ramp or lift is available. Rides can be booked up to one week ahead. Call dispatch at 541-881-0000; cancel at least two hours ahead.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Malheur 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.
Malheur Council on Aging & Community Services (MCOACS)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Malheur Council on Aging & Community Services)
Community in Action
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Saint Alphonsus Medical Center
Malheur Council on Aging & Community Services (SRT-Malheur Express)
Runs: Door-to-Door Transit (SRT-Malheur Express, Snake River Access PLUS)
Oregon and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Malheur 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.