Senior benefits in Charleston 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 Charleston County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Charleston 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 Charleston County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Charleston County. Start here.
Elder Services in Charleston 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) — Charleston
CountyTrident Area Agency on Aging is the state-designated Area Agency on Aging for Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, including Charleston 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 Charleston County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $300–$1,000 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Palmetto Community Action Partnership) — Charleston
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 Charleston County at its Charleston office at 1069 King Street. Call 843-724-6760 to ask about applying. Help depends on available funding.
Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Charleston County
Hospital Financial Assistance (MUSC Medical Center) — Charleston
CountyUninsured and insured residents of Charleston County can apply for financial assistance at MUSC Medical Center in Charleston. MUSC Health's 2026 financial assistance sliding scale gives a 100% discount to households with income up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Send the signed application and income papers to the MUSC Health Single Billing Office. Call customer service at 843-792-2311 or 800-598-0624, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Charleston County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Senior Rideshare & Paratransit (CARTA OnDemand) — Charleston
CountyCARTA OnDemand gives seniors 60 and older discounted Uber or Lyft rides within CARTA's bus service area in the Charleston area. Approved seniors get four ride vouchers a week, pay a $5 initial fare, and get up to a $14 discount per trip. A smartphone with an Uber or Lyft account is needed. People with disabilities can apply for CARTA's Tel-A-Ride paratransit instead. Call 843-529-6284 with questions.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Charleston 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)
MUSC Medical Center (MUSC Health)
Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA)
South Carolina and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Charleston 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.