Senior benefits in Bristol City County, Virginia
5
Local programs
16
Virginia programs
25
Federal programs
17
Categories
Local starting point
District Three Governmental Cooperative (District Three Senior Services) — Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) network
1-276-783-8157
See which of these Bristol City County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Bristol City 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 Bristol City County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Bristol City County. Start here.
Elder Services
Programs here are typically worth $500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging (District Three Governmental Cooperative (District Three Senior Services)) — Bristol City
CountyDistrict Three Governmental Cooperative (District Three Senior Services) is the Area Agency on Aging for the City of Bristol. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Same AAA as Smyth (PSA 03, Marion VA): home-delivered meals, Friendship Cafes, homemaker/chore services, care management (60+), caregiver support, VICAP, ombudsman, limited legal aid for persons 60+, medical transportation for seniors. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-276-783-8157 to get started.
$500–$6,000/yr
Energy Assistance
Programs here are typically worth $300–$1,000 a year to an eligible household.
Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) — Bristol City
CountyThe Virginia Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households in the City of Bristol pay heating and cooling bills, with crisis help for shut-offs and broken equipment. Apply during the program windows through the Bristol City Department of Social Services, online at CommonHelp, or by phone at 1-833-5CALLVA. Households with an adult 60 or older or a person with a disability are a priority group. Fuel Assistance applications are taken each fall and Cooling Assistance each summer, while funds last.
$300–$1,000/yr
Healthcare
Hospital Financial Assistance (Bristol Regional Medical Center) — Bristol City
CountyUninsured and underinsured residents of the City of Bristol can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Bristol Regional Medical Center for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. No acute-care hospital inside Bristol VA city limits; nearest is Bristol Regional Medical Center at 1 Medical Park Boulevard, Bristol, TN 37620 — directly across the state line in the twin city (facility page balladhealth.org/locations/hospitals/bristol-regional, fetched). Ballad's system FAP applies; phone shown is the financial assistance line.
Tax Relief
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly & Disabled — Bristol City
CountyCity of Bristol offers real estate tax relief (exemption) for homeowners who are 65 or older or permanently disabled. Total household income must be $35,000 or less, and net worth (not counting the home) must be $50,000 or less. Real estate discount for owners 65+ (age quote: 'Must be 65 years old on or before January 1st of the tax year, or 100% disabled on December 31st of the year immediately preceding the taxable year.') on the principal dwelling. Applications taken February 1 - May 1 in the Commissioner of Revenue's Office. The page does not state the discount amount (local news has reported a $200 cap; not on the cited page, so not asserted). Apply through the local commissioner of the revenue or assessment office.
$200–$3,000/yr
In this county: Limits shown are City of Bristol's current published figures; relief brackets, filing windows, and exclusions are set by local ordinance and the locality makes the final determination, so this shows as a may-qualify result.
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Senior & Disabled Transit (Bristol Virginia Transit) — Bristol City
CountyBristol Virginia Transit serves the City of Bristol with City fixed-route bus with a senior reduced fare. Adult fare $1.00; seniors, riders with a disability, and Medicare cardholders $0.50 with valid ID; ADA paratransit $2.00; transfers $0.10; exact change required. No qualifying age for the senior fare is stated on the page. Mountain Lynx Transit also runs a weekday Abingdon-Bristol connector.. Older adults and people with disabilities can use reduced fares or demand-response rides for medical appointments, shopping, and other essential trips. Rides are free or low-cost depending on the service. Call 1-276-645-7384 for schedules, eligibility, or to book a ride.
$150–$1,500/yr
Virginia and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Bristol City County and across the rest of Virginia. Full details are on the Virginia benefits page.
Caregiver Support
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- Virginia Energy Assistance Program (Fuel, Crisis & Cooling)State$300–$1,000/yrOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrOfficial source →
- Farm Market Fresh (Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program) — VirginiaState$50/yrOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Virginia Medicaid — Aged, Blind & Disabled (Cardinal Care)State$4,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- VICAP — Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance ProgramStateOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrOfficial source →
- Auxiliary Grant (Assisted Living & Adult Foster Care Supplement)State$1,000–$25,000/yrOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrOfficial source →
- Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Waiver (Medicaid Long-Term Care at Home)State$10,000–$80,000/yrOfficial source →
- Virginia Veterans Care Centers (State Veterans Homes)State$10,000–$40,000/yrOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB / SLMB / QI) — VirginiaState$2,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- Free VA Benefits Claims Assistance (Virginia Department of Veterans Services)StateOfficial source →
- Virginia State Veterans Cemeteries (No-Cost Burial)StateOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federalup to $1,125/yrOfficial source →
- Real Estate Tax Exemption for 100% Disabled Veterans & Surviving SpousesState$1,500–$6,000/yrOfficial source →
- Virginia Age Deduction (State Income Tax)State$100–$690/yrOfficial source →
- Virginia Military Benefits SubtractionState$100–$2,300/yrOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program — VirginiaState$1,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrOfficial source →
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.
