Senior benefits in Lexington County, South Carolina
4
Local programs
10
South Carolina programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Central Midlands Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging
1-803-376-5390
See which of these Lexington County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Lexington 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 Lexington County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Lexington County. Start here.
Elder Services in Lexington County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Central Midlands Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging) — Lexington
CountyThe Central Midlands Council of Governments is the Area Agency on Aging for Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties, including Lexington County. It plans and coordinates services that help seniors and people with disabilities stay in their homes — home-delivered meals, homemaker and personal care (after an assessment), family caregiver respite, Medicare counseling (SHIP), long-term care ombudsman help, legal referrals, and free advance directive forms. Call the information and referral specialist at 803-376-5390.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Lexington County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $300–$1,000 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Aiken/Barnwell Counties Community Action Agency) — Lexington
CountySouth Carolina's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and cooling bills. In Lexington County, applications are taken by the Aiken/Barnwell Counties Community Action Agency at its Lexington County office, 650 Knox Abbott Drive in Cayce. Households facing a shutoff may get crisis help. Call 803-794-6778. Bring an SC license or ID, Social Security cards for everyone in the home, your most recent utility bill, and the last 30 days of income for household members 18 and older.
Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Lexington County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Lexington Medical Center) — Lexington
CountyPatients with limited or no insurance can apply for financial assistance at Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia. Eligibility is based on federal poverty standards, and people on Medicaid or SNAP, or getting county or state housing, utility or food help, may be presumed eligible. Eligible patients are not charged more than insured patients for emergency or medically necessary care. Call a financial counselor at 803-791-2490.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Lexington County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Paratransit Transit (The COMET) — Lexington
CountyThe COMET is the public bus system for Richland and Lexington counties. It runs fixed routes in the parts of Lexington County it serves and DART, a curb-to-curb paratransit service for riders with disabilities who are ADA certified. Seniors 65 and older with a senior driver's license or state ID pay the discount fare — $1.00 per one-way ride instead of $2.00. Call the COMET call center at 803-255-7100.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Lexington 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.
Central Midlands Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Central Midlands Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging)
Aiken/Barnwell Counties Community Action Agency, Inc.
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Aiken/Barnwell Counties Community Action Agency)
Lexington Medical Center (Lexington Health)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Lexington Medical Center)
Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET)
South Carolina and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Lexington 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.