Senior benefits in Wallowa County, Oregon

Community Connection of Northeast Oregon (CCNO) is the Area Agency on Aging that serves Wallowa County. Its services include family caregiver support, in-home caregivers through Oregon Project Independence (OPI), meal sites and home-delivered meals, medical rides, regular check-in phone calls for seniors who live alone, options counseling, legal help referrals for people over 60, and free short-term loans of medical equipment such as wheelchairs. Call the Wallowa County community center at 702 NW 1st St in Enterprise at 541-426-3840.

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

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) gives qualified low-income households a once-a-year payment to help with home heating, no matter the heat source (wood, natural gas, electric, propane, oil or pellets). In Wallowa County, Community Connection of Northeast Oregon takes applications and has a priority system for seniors and households with a disabled member. After you apply, a coordinator calls to set up an energy appointment, which can take up to 45 days. If you have a shut-off notice, call your local office right away. Call the Wallowa County community center at 702 NW 1st St in Enterprise at 541-426-3840. Funding is limited.

Estimated bill savings: $250–$1,750 a year

Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Enterprise offers free or discounted care based on family size and income, even for people who have health insurance. Discounts on a sliding fee scale range from 25% to 100%; under the hospital's policy, family income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level gets a 100% discount, and discounts continue up to 400%. The hospital also offers interest-free payment plans and a 20% discount for paying in full within 20 days of the first statement. Call the Patient Access Team at 541-426-1918.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Wallowa County Public Transit, run by Community Connection of Northeast Oregon, offers Dial-A-Ride for the general public, people over 60 and people with disabilities within Wallowa, Lostine, Enterprise and Joseph. It is free to all riders. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday it serves Enterprise and Joseph; on Tuesday and Thursday it starts in Wallowa to serve the lower valley. Buses are wheelchair accessible. Book at least one business day ahead; the office is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Call 541-426-3840.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year