Senior benefits in Cherokee County, South Carolina
4
Local programs
10
South Carolina programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) Area Agency on Aging
1-864-242-9733
See which of these Cherokee County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Cherokee 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 Cherokee County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Cherokee County. Start here.
Elder Services in Cherokee County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Appalachian Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging) — Cherokee
CountyThe Appalachian Council of Governments is the Area Agency on Aging for the six-county Appalachian Region, which includes Cherokee County. It gives information and help to older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. It runs the regional Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, the Family Caregiver Program, and the I-CARE Medicare counseling program (SHIP), and its nutrition program serves meals to people age 60 or older and their spouses. Call 864-242-9733, or toll-free 1-800-434-4036, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Cherokee County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $300–$1,000 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (GLEAMNS Human Resources Commission) — Cherokee
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Cherokee County, LIHEAP applications are taken by GLEAMNS Human Resources Commission. GLEAMNS gives priority to older adults, people with disabilities, families with young children, and households facing an energy emergency such as a shutoff. Call the Cherokee County office at 864-489-6140 to ask how to apply. Bring proof of income and a current energy bill in an adult household member's name. Help depends on available funds.
Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Cherokee County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Cherokee Medical Center) — Cherokee
CountyCherokee Medical Center in Gaffney, a division of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, uses Spartanburg Regional's Financial Assistance Program for uninsured patients and those with limited financial resources. Households with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level may qualify for help, and partial help may be available above that. Apply online in MyChart or by mail or email with proof of income and an asset questionnaire. Call Financial Services at 864-596-1001 or 800-281-5346 for questions, help with the forms, or to ask for a paper application.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Cherokee County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Senior Transportation (Senior Centers of Cherokee County) — Cherokee
CountySenior Centers of Cherokee County in Gaffney gives rides Monday through Friday to and from the senior center for people 60 and older, plus rides for essential shopping and to medical appointments such as dialysis. To sign up for transportation help, call the Appalachian Council of Governments (the Area Agency on Aging) at 864-242-9733 or 1-800-434-4036.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Cherokee 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.
GLEAMNS Human Resources Commission, Inc.
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (GLEAMNS Human Resources Commission)
Cherokee Medical Center (Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Cherokee Medical Center)
Senior Centers of Cherokee County, Inc.
Runs: Senior Transportation (Senior Centers of Cherokee County)
Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Appalachian Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging)
South Carolina and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Cherokee 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.