Senior benefits in Berkeley County, South Carolina
4
Local programs
10
South Carolina programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Trident Area Agency on Aging
1-843-554-2275
See which of these Berkeley County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Berkeley 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 Berkeley County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Berkeley County. Start here.
Elder Services in Berkeley County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Trident Area Agency on Aging) — Berkeley
CountyTrident Area Agency on Aging is the state-designated Area Agency on Aging for Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, including Berkeley County, and serves as the area's Aging and Disability Resource Center. It arranges home-delivered meals, home care, group dining, rides to programs, health promotion, and legal services, plus Medicare counseling, family caregiver support, and long-term care ombudsman help. Call 843-554-2275 or toll-free 1-800-894-0415.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Berkeley County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $300–$1,000 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Palmetto Community Action Partnership) — Berkeley
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households with home heating and cooling costs. In South Carolina it is run by the Office of Economic Opportunity through local Community Action Agencies. Palmetto Community Action Partnership takes LIHEAP applications for Berkeley County at its Moncks Corner office at 325 East Main Street. Call 843-761-6935 to ask about applying. Help depends on available funding.
Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Berkeley County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital) — Berkeley
CountyRoper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital, at Carnes Crossroads near Summerville, is Berkeley County's hospital. Patients who need help with bills and do not qualify for federal or state programs can apply for Roper St. Francis Healthcare financial assistance, which is based on income and ability to pay. Financial counselors can also help you look for other programs. To reach a public benefits specialist, email Roperfinancialassistance@ensemblehp.com. For bills with a date of service on or after August 1, 2022, call 888-472-0043, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Berkeley County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Rural Public Transit (TriCounty Link) — Berkeley
CountyTriCounty Link runs bus service for rural residents of Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, including Berkeley County, with rides to jobs, medical care, schools, and shopping. Seniors can ride at a discounted fare by showing a Medicare card or ID. Riders with disabilities can apply for ADA deviated-route service, which picks up within three-quarters of a mile of a route when booked at least 24 hours ahead. Call customer service at 843-899-4096.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Berkeley 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.
Trident Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Trident Area Agency on Aging)
Palmetto Community Action Partnership
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Palmetto Community Action Partnership)
Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital (Roper St. Francis Healthcare)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital)
TriCounty Link (Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Rural Transportation Management Association)
South Carolina and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Berkeley County and across the rest of South Carolina. Full details are on the South Carolina benefits page.
Elder Services
- Free legal help for older adults (Older Americans Act legal assistance)State$0–$2,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- South Carolina SHIP — free Medicare counselingState$100–$2,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- LIHEAP energy assistance (South Carolina)State$300–$1,000/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 (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)State$300–$3,500/yrCashOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Healthy Connections Medicaid for people 65+, blind, or disabled (ABD)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 →
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 →
- Optional State Supplementation (OSS) for residential care facility residentsState$2,000–$15,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Community Choices Waiver (Community Long Term Care) — care at home instead of a nursing homeState$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)State$2,100–$5,200/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 →
- Homestead Exemption (property tax, 65+, disabled, or blind)State$150–$900/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- South Carolina income tax: age 65 and older deduction and retirement income deductionState$0–$800/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.