Senior benefits in Wayne County, Tennessee
Seniors living in Wayne County, Tennessee have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs, health care, housing, and more. The South Central Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Services is the local starting point for connecting with many of these programs. Residents may also find help through South Central Tennessee Rural Public Transit, which provides on-demand transportation for older adults and people with disabilities. Those struggling with utility bills can apply through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program, delivered locally by South Central Human Resource Agency. Homeowners facing medical costs may want to look into Maury Regional Wayne Medical Center Financial Assistance. At the state level, programs like the Tennessee Property Tax Freeze Program, OPTIONS for Community Living, and TennCare CHOICES offer additional support. Federal programs also apply here, covering areas like food, Medicare costs, and veterans' benefits. Each program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
4
Local programs
21
Tennessee programs
25
Federal programs
19
Categories
Last verified · September 29, 2026
Local starting point
South Central Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, part of the South Central Tennessee Development District, the designated aging and disability agency for the 13-county South Central region.
931-379-2929
See which of these Wayne County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Wayne 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 Wayne County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Wayne County. Start here.
Elder Services in Wayne County
Programs here typically provide services worth $1,000–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
South Central Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Services (Wayne County)
CountyThe South Central Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability serves older adults age 60 and older, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers in Wayne County. Services include congregate and home-delivered meals, family caregiver support and respite, SHIP Medicare counseling, options counseling for long-term care, the long-term care ombudsman, the OPTIONS in-home services program, and public guardianship. Call the Information and Assistance line to learn what is available locally.
Estimated service value: $1,000–$6,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Wayne County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $174–$750 a year.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) for Wayne County
CountyTennessee's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and cooling costs for income-eligible households. In Wayne County, LIHEAP is delivered by South Central Human Resource Agency (SCHRA). Households with an older adult (60+) or a person with a disability get priority. Apply through the THDA online portal or a South Central Human Resource Agency service center, and call 2-1-1 Tennessee for referral help. Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) administers the program statewide.
Estimated bill savings: $174–$750 a year
Healthcare in Wayne County
Maury Regional Wayne Medical Center Financial Assistance (Wayne County)
CountyWayne Medical Center in Waynesboro is the Wayne County hospital and is part of Maury Regional Health. Maury Regional Health offers financial assistance (charity care) for medically necessary care to patients who cannot afford to pay. Call the financial counselor at 931-381-1111, option 4, to apply.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Wayne County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
South Central Tennessee Rural Public Transit for Seniors and Riders with Disabilities (Wayne County)
CountySouth Central Tennessee Development District Rural Public Transportation provides on-demand rides for Wayne County residents of all ages, giving priority to older adults, people with disabilities, and riders with medical needs. Vehicles are ADA accessible and carry riders to medical appointments, shopping, and services. Reserve a ride at least 24 hours ahead by calling 1-833-806-7228, and confirm the current fare.
Estimated service value: $200–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Wayne 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.
Maury Regional Health, which operates Wayne Medical Center in Waynesboro.
Runs: Maury Regional Wayne Medical Center Financial Assistance
South Central Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, part of the South Central Tennessee Development District, the designated aging and disability agency for the 13-county South Central region.
Runs: South Central Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Services
Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) LIHEAP, delivered locally by South Central Human Resource Agency (SCHRA).
Runs: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) for Wayne County
South Central Tennessee Development District Rural Public Transportation, the regional on-demand public transit provider for the South Central Tennessee counties.
Runs: South Central Tennessee Rural Public Transit for Seniors and Riders with Disabilities
Tennessee and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Wayne County and across the rest of Tennessee. Full details are on the Tennessee benefits page.
Caregiver Support
- Tennessee Family Caregiver Support ProgramStateabout $0/yrService valueOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- Tennessee Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)State$174–$750/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 →
Health Coverage
- TennCare Medicaid — Aged, Blind & DisabledState$4,000–$30,000/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 →
- Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — Medicare CounselingStateabout $0/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Home Care
- Tennessee Family Support ProgramState$0–$6,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- OPTIONS for Community Living (Non-Medicaid In-Home Support)Stateabout $0/yrService valueOfficial 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 →
Housing Assistance
- Tennessee Emergency Repair Program (THDA) — grants for older and disabled homeownersState$500–$24,999/yrService valueOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- TennCare CHOICES — Long-Term Services & SupportsState$10,000–$80,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (Tennessee)State$10,000–$80,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Tennessee State Veterans' Homes (Long-Term Care)StateOfficial 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 Program (Tennessee) — QMB / SLMB / QIState$2,100–$8,000/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
Nutrition
- Tennessee Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Stateabout $40/yrService valueOfficial 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 →
- Tennessee Public Guardianship for the Elderly — Court-Appointed Conservator of Last ResortStateabout $0/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Tennessee State Veterans Cemeteries (No-Cost Burial Benefits)StateOfficial source →
- Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Claims Assistance (Free VA Claims Help)StateOfficial source →
- Tennessee Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing License ($10 One-Time, Permanent)StateOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federal$0–$1,125/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Tennessee County Motor Vehicle Privilege Tax Exemption for Disabled VeteransStateOfficial source →
- Tennessee Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veteran HomeownersState$875–$1,225/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Tennessee Property Tax Freeze ProgramState$50–$800/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Tennessee Property Tax Relief ProgramState$100–$1,200/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Transportation
- MyRide TN — Volunteer Senior TransportationStateabout $0/yrService valueOfficial 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
Local 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.