Senior benefits in Norton City, Virginia

Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc. is the Area Agency on Aging for the City of Norton. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Designated Area Agency on Aging (PSA 01) for Lee, Scott, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. Services include Mountain Empire Transit, PACE, nutrition and wellness, in-home personal care, heating and cooling assistance, Medicare benefits/options counseling, caregiver advocacy, and senior employment. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-276-523-4202 to get started.

Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households in the City of Norton pay heating and cooling bills, with crisis help for shut-offs and broken equipment. Apply during the program windows through the Norton City Department of Social Services, online at CommonHelp, or by phone at 1-855-635-4370. Cooling Assistance requires a household member who is 60 or older, has a disability, or is a child under 6. Fuel Assistance applications are taken each fall and Cooling Assistance each summer, while funds last.

Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year

Uninsured and underinsured residents of the City of Norton can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Norton Community Hospital for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. In-city Ballad Health hospital: 'a not-for-profit, 129-bed, acute-care facility serving Southwest Virginia and Southeastern Kentucky since 1949'. System-level Ballad Health financial assistance policy; application help line (888) 288-5174.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

City of Norton offers real estate tax relief (exemption) for homeowners who are 65 or older or permanently disabled. Total household income must be $15,000 or less, and net worth (not counting the home) must be $25,000 or less. Relief amount depends on prior-year income, up to a maximum of $100; age 65+ or permanently and totally disabled (with a Social Security disability letter); application through the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office, (276) 679-0031, deadline April 1. The page's '$100' sentence says 'County Ordinance' but this is the City of Norton's page (the page also says 'City of Norton's tax relief program'). Apply through the local commissioner of the revenue or assessment office.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$3,000 a year

In this county: Limits shown are City of Norton'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.

Mountain Empire Transit, run by Mountain Empire Older Citizens, gives free curb-to-curb rides in the City of Norton, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The service covers nearly 1,390 square miles across Lee, Scott and Wise counties and the City of Norton. Anyone can ride, whatever their age, and the vehicles take wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility aids. Book at least 24 hours ahead, and up to 30 days ahead, by calling 276-523-7433. Rides are booked in the order calls come in. METGo! app-based on-demand rides are also offered in three zones for $1 a trip.

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