Senior benefits in Tooele County, Utah

Tooele County Aging Services works to promote the health, safety and independence of adults aged 60 and older in Tooele County. It helps seniors live on their own in their homes and communities as long as possible. Services include Meals on Wheels, senior centers with a daily meal, caregiver support, the Medicaid Aging Waiver, non-medical in-home services for frail seniors, ombudsman help for people in long-term care, SHIP Medicare counseling, Senior Medicare Patrol fraud prevention, help with Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs, legal aid through Utah Legal Services for adults 60 or older, falls prevention classes and transportation scheduling. Call 435-277-2420 for more information.

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

Utah Community Action runs the HEAT Utility Assistance Program for Salt Lake and Tooele counties, including Tooele County. HEAT is Utah's Home Energy Assistance Target program, paid for by the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). It helps income-eligible households pay power and gas bills once per season (October 1 – September 30). Households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level may qualify, and elderly and disabled households and families with children under six get priority. The person applying must be responsible for the utilities. Crisis help is available all year for households with a 48-hour shut-off notice. A HEAT benefit on a Rocky Mountain Power account also signs you up for the Home Electric Lifeline Program (HELP) discount for 12 months. Apply online, by email (HEAT@utahca.org), by mail or drop-off, or call 801-359-2444 to set up a phone appointment. Processing takes 6-8 weeks.

Estimated bill savings: $250–$800 a year

The Tooele County Auditor's office runs five kinds of property tax relief allowed by Utah law: the veteran's exemption, the blind exemption, the Circuit Breaker, the indigent (county) abatement and the 75+ tax deferral program. Applications for these programs are due September 1 each year. Email abatements@tooeleco.gov or call the Auditor's Office at 435-843-3312.

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

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) serves Tooele 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