Senior benefits in Union 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 Union County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Union 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 Union County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Union County. Start here.
Elder Services in Union 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) — Union
CountyThe Catawba Area Agency on Aging serves Chester, Lancaster, Union and York counties, including Union 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 Union County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $300–$1,000 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Carolina Community Actions) — Union
CountySouth Carolina's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and cooling bills. In Union 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 Union County office in Union at 864-427-0336, or start an application online; a staff member will contact you for an interview.
Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Union County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Union Medical Center (Spartanburg Regional)) — Union
CountyPatients at Union Medical Center, a Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System hospital in Union, can apply for free or discounted care through Spartanburg Regional's Financial Assistance Program if they have no health insurance or limited financial resources. Households with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify, and partial help is possible above that. Apply online in MyChart, or by mail or email with proof of income and an asset questionnaire. Call Financial Services at 864-596-1001 or toll-free 800-281-5346 for help with the forms. A written decision usually comes within 30 days.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Union County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Union County Public Transportation / The Connector) — Union
CountyUnion County and The Connector (formerly the Chester Connector) run public transportation for Union County residents going to medical appointments, the grocery store, the pharmacy, the bank, work or school. Rides run Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., within 5 miles of the Union County Courthouse, with extra options for Carlisle, Jonesville and Lockhart. The fare is $1.00 per trip or $2.00 round trip. Call 864-762-7972 at least 48 hours ahead.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Union 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.
Union Medical Center (Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Union Medical Center (Spartanburg Regional))
Union County Public Transportation (operated by The Connector, formerly the Chester Connector)
Runs: Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Union County Public Transportation / The Connector)
South Carolina and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Union 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.