Senior benefits in Lee County, South Carolina
4
Local programs
10
South Carolina programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging
1-803-774-1980
See which of these Lee County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Lee 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 Lee County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Lee County. Start here.
Elder Services in Lee County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Santee-Lynches Area Agency on Aging) — Lee
CountyThe Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments runs the Area Agency on Aging for Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter counties, including Lee County. Services include family caregiver support (respite, education and supplies for people caring for someone 60 or older or someone with dementia), information and referral, Medicare insurance counseling, legal assistance referrals, and long-term care ombudsman help. Call the Area Agency on Aging office in Sumter at 803-774-1980.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Lee County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $300–$1,000 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Wateree Community Actions) — Lee
CountySouth Carolina's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and cooling bills. In Lee County, applications are taken by Wateree Community Actions, which serves Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, Richland and Sumter counties. Call the appointment line at 803-626-1696, or the Lee County office in Bishopville at 803-484-5401. Offices are open 9 AM to 5 PM, closed 1 to 2 PM for lunch.
Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Lee County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital) — Lee
CountyLee County has no hospital; the nearest is Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter. Prisma Health offers financial assistance for emergency and other medically necessary care to insured and uninsured patients who meet income and asset limits. In general, patients at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify, and patients between 251% and 400% may get a sliding-scale reduction. Call 833-425-0404 (toll-free) for help applying.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Lee County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Santee Wateree RTA) — Lee
CountySantee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority (SWRTA) runs Lee County Transit fixed routes in and around Bishopville and a reservation-based demand-response service throughout Lee County for medical visits, shopping, work and other trips. SWRTA's fare page says Bishopville Lee County Transit services are free. Demand-response trips must be booked 48 hours ahead. Call 803-775-9347.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Lee 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.
Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Santee-Lynches Area Agency on Aging)
Wateree Community Actions, Inc.
Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital)
Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority (SWRTA)
South Carolina and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Lee 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.