Senior benefits in Chester County, South Carolina
4
Local programs
10
South Carolina programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Catawba Area Agency on Aging
1-803-329-9670
See which of these Chester County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Chester 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 Chester County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Chester County. Start here.
Elder Services in Chester County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Catawba Area Agency on Aging) — Chester
CountyThe Catawba Area Agency on Aging serves Chester, Lancaster, Union and York counties, including Chester County. It helps adults 60 and over, adults with a physical disability, family members, and anyone looking for in-home services — caregiver support, Medicare counseling, long-term care ombudsman help for nursing home residents, and referrals to local resources. Help is free. Call 803-329-9670 or toll-free 1-800-662-8330.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Chester County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $300–$1,000 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Carolina Community Actions) — Chester
CountySouth Carolina's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and cooling bills. In Chester County, applications are taken by Carolina Community Actions, which serves Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Union and York counties. Households with an older or disabled member get priority. Call the Chester County office in Chester at 803-385-5205, or start an application online; a staff member will contact you for an interview.
Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Chester County
Hospital Financial Assistance (MUSC Health Chester Medical Center) — Chester
CountyUninsured and insured patients at MUSC Health Chester Medical Center in Chester can apply for MUSC Health financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care. MUSC Health's 2026 sliding scale shows a 100% discount for household income up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Fill out the financial assistance form and mail it with your documents, or call MUSC Health customer service at 800-598-0624 for help.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Chester County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (The Connector) — Chester
CountyThe Connector gives low-cost demand-response rides in Chester County for shopping, work, school, personal trips and non-emergency medical visits. Anyone 12 and older can ride, and Chester County seniors and veterans get discounted fares. Most routes run Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with trips to Rock Hill, Lancaster and Richburg. Trips to Columbia, and rides for people living more than 5 miles from the Chester County Courthouse, run on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Great Falls routes run Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Limited Saturday rides stay within Chester, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reserve at least 48 hours ahead by calling 803-385-3838.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Chester 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.
Catawba Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Catawba Area Agency on Aging)
Carolina Community Actions, Inc.
The Connector (formerly Chester Connector)
MUSC Health Chester Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (MUSC Health Chester Medical Center)
South Carolina and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Chester 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.