Senior benefits in Darlington County, South Carolina
4
Local programs
10
South Carolina programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Pee Dee Area Agency on Aging (Vantage Point, CareSouth Carolina)
1-843-383-8632
See which of these Darlington County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Darlington 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 Darlington County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Darlington County. Start here.
Elder Services in Darlington County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Pee Dee Area Agency on Aging — Vantage Point, CareSouth Carolina) — Darlington
CountyVantage Point, run by CareSouth Carolina, is the Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center for the Pee Dee region, which includes Darlington County. It helps older adults and caregivers find services such as rides, group dining, home-delivered meals, home care, legal help, Medicare counseling, long-term care ombudsman help, and family caregiver support. Call 843-383-8632 or toll-free 866-505-3331 to get started.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Darlington County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $300–$1,000 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Darlington County Community Action Agency) — Darlington
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. Darlington County Community Action Agency takes LIHEAP applications for Darlington County at its Hartsville office at 325 W. Washington Street. Call 843-332-1135 to ask about applying. Help depends on available funding.
Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Darlington County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center) — Darlington
CountyCarolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville is the hospital in Darlington County. If you have no insurance, or not enough insurance, and cannot pay your hospital bill, Carolina Pines can help you apply for medical assistance programs or set up a payment plan you can manage. Call the billing line at 855-269-2004 with questions.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Darlington County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Demand-Response Transit (Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority) — Darlington
CountyThe Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority (PDRTA) runs public bus service in Darlington County, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Riders who cannot use the bus because of a disability can apply for ADA paratransit within three-quarters of a mile of a bus route. To book a ride, call 843-665-2227, option 2, at least one day ahead (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). PDRTA does not run trips between counties.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Darlington 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.
Darlington County Community Action Agency
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Darlington County Community Action Agency)
Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center (ScionHealth)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center)
Pee Dee Area Agency on Aging (Vantage Point, CareSouth Carolina)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Pee Dee Area Agency on Aging
Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority (PDRTA)
Runs: Public & Demand-Response Transit (Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority)
South Carolina and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Darlington 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.