Senior benefits in Box Elder County, Utah

The Bear River Area Agency on Aging is part of the Bear River Association of Governments (BRAG). It is one of 12 Area Agencies on Aging in Utah and serves Box Elder, Cache and Rich counties, including Box Elder County. Its services cost little or nothing for people who qualify. It offers information and referral, caregiver support, in-home services, a long-term care ombudsman and SHIP Medicare counseling. In-home services under the National Caregiver Support Program, the Aging Waiver and the Alternatives Program help older adults and people with disabilities stay independent at home. Call 435-713-1467 (Spanish: 435-713-1462). The office is at 170 N Main St in Logan.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

The Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) program helps low-income households pay utility bills. It is paid for by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). HEAT focuses on the households that need it most: the lowest-income households with the highest heating costs, people with disabilities, the elderly and families with young children. In Box Elder County, apply through the Bear River Association of Governments (BRAG). You may be able to apply online. You can also email your application and copies of your documents to heat@brag.utah.gov, mail them, or drop them off at the Logan office (170 N Main) or the Brigham City office (35 E 100 S). If you have a shut-off notice, call the BRAG HEAT office right away at 435-713-1444.

Estimated bill savings: $250–$800 a year

Bear River Valley Hospital in Tremonton is part of Intermountain Health, which gives financial assistance to eligible patients who need medical care. Help is based on family size and gross yearly household income, for incomes within 500% of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines. People with higher incomes can be reviewed for medical hardship. Eligible patients are not charged more for emergency or other needed care than the amounts generally billed to insured people, and no one who needs emergency care is turned away for not being able to pay. Download the application and email, fax, mail or bring it with your documents to an Eligibility Counselor at an Intermountain facility, or mail it to Financial Assistance, PO BOX 27327, Salt Lake City, Utah 84127. You can also apply in person at your local hospital. For questions, call a financial counselor at 866-415-6556.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Box Elder County runs Utah's property tax relief programs for county homeowners, following state law. The Homeowner's Credit and Low Income Abatement is for low-income homeowners, or widows and widowers, age 67 or older. The County Low Income Abatement is for low-income homeowners over 67, or any age with a low-income hardship or disability. There are also exemptions for people who are certified legally blind and for veterans with a VA disability rating of at least 10%, and a property tax deferral for people 75 and older. Forms are on the county's Tax Relief & Tax Exemptions page. Call 435-734-3388 for more information and to get an application.

Estimated bill savings: $100–$1,412 a year

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) serves Box Elder County. Riders 65 or older can get reduced fare: $1 per local trip (bus, BRT, TRAX, S-Line, UTA On Demand) and $2 per premium trip (FrontRunner, Express Bus, Ski Bus). Fare caps limit what you pay: $2 a day or $8 a week for local trips. People with disabilities, people with a Medicare card and low-income riders can also qualify. Reduced fare works only with a FAREPAY Card, which costs $3; the fee is credited back if you qualify. Apply through your online FAREPAY account and upload a photo ID. Senior reduced fare is good for 5 years, then you reapply. For help, call UTA Customer Service at 801-RIDE-UTA (801-743-3882).

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year