Senior benefits in Horry County, South Carolina
4
Local programs
10
South Carolina programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging
1-843-436-2110
See which of these Horry County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Horry 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 Horry County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Horry County. Start here.
Elder Services in Horry County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging) — Horry
CountyThe Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments (WRCOG) is the Area Agency on Aging for Georgetown, Horry, and Williamsburg counties, including Horry County. Its Information, Referral and Assistance hotline connects seniors and caregivers with services such as home care, meal programs, senior rides, insurance counseling, family caregiver help, and long-term care ombudsman help. Call the hotline at 843-436-2110.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Horry County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $300–$1,000 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council) — Horry
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. Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council takes LIHEAP applications for Horry County at its Conway office at 1261 Highway 501 East. There are also offices in Loris (843-756-6562) and Myrtle Beach (843-626-7270). Call 843-234-4100 to ask about applying. Help depends on available funding.
Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Horry County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Conway Medical Center) — Horry
CountyConway Medical Center in Conway offers financial assistance for medically necessary care. Under its policy, patients with gross family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level get a full 100% charity care discount, and those above 200% and below 301% can get a partial discount. Patients with no insurance who do not qualify get an automatic 60% discount on the bill. Financial counselors at the hospital can help with the application. Call 843-234-6726, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Horry County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Paratransit & Public Transit (Coast RTA) — Horry
CountyCoast RTA runs public buses in Horry and Georgetown counties. Its paratransit program is a curb-to-curb, shared-ride service for people who cannot ride a regular bus because of a disability, in areas of Horry County within three-quarters of a mile of a Coast RTA route. Riders must apply and be approved first, and a doctor must certify the disability on the application. Approved riders can also ride Coast RTA's regular bus routes for free with proper ID. Paratransit rides cost $2.00 each. Reservations are taken daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and must be made the day before. Call 843-488-0865.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Horry 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.
Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging)
Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council)
Conway Medical Center
Coast RTA (Waccamaw Regional Transportation Authority)
South Carolina and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Horry 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.