Senior benefits in La Crosse County, Wisconsin
Seniors aged 65 and older in La Crosse County, Wisconsin have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, food, energy costs, transportation, and more. The ADRC of La Crosse County is the local starting point for navigating these options and connecting with the right programs. Locally, residents may also find help through the County Elderly & Disabled Transportation program, Energy Assistance (WHEAP) intake services, and Hospital Financial Assistance through Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. At the state level, programs such as SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance, Wisconsin Medicaid for the Elderly, Blind or Disabled, Medicare Savings Programs, FoodShare Wisconsin, and the Homestead Credit may be available depending on your situation. Federal programs — including Extra Help for prescription costs and many others — apply here as well. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, but the sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
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Local programs
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Wisconsin programs
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Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · October 3, 2026
Local starting point
ADRC of La Crosse County
1-800-500-3910
See which of these La Crosse County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the La Crosse 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 La Crosse County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving La Crosse County. Start here.
Elder Services in La Crosse County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC of La Crosse County) — La Crosse
County · WisconsinADRC of La Crosse County is the county's one-stop for aging help: benefits counseling (Medicare, FoodShare, Medicaid), long-term-care options and Family Care/IRIS enrollment, caregiver support, home-delivered and senior dining meals, transportation arrangements, and falls-prevention programs. Services are free and open to adults 60 and over and adults with disabilities. Call 800-500-3910 or the statewide line 1-844-947-2372.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in La Crosse County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $100–$1,500 a year.
Energy Assistance (WHEAP) intake — La Crosse
County · WisconsinLa Crosse Co Hs takes Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program applications for La Crosse County residents — heating and electric bill help, crisis assistance, and emergency furnace repair. Household income must be at or below 60% of the state median (see the statewide WHEAP listing for current figures). Apply online at energybenefit.wi.gov, or by phone, mail, or in person through the local agency at 608-785-5582.
Estimated bill savings: $100–$1,500 a year
Healthcare in La Crosse County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center) — La Crosse
County · WisconsinUninsured and underinsured residents of La Crosse County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center for emergency and medically necessary care. Gundersen provides free or discounted care based on household income and size for patients unable to pay. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in La Crosse County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
County Elderly & Disabled Transportation (§85.21) — La Crosse
County · WisconsinEvery Wisconsin county, including La Crosse County, receives state aid under Wis. Stat. §85.21 to run specialized transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities — typically door-to-door van or volunteer-driver rides to medical appointments, nutrition sites, and shopping. Services and fares vary by county; the ADRC connects riders with the county's program. Call 800-500-3910 to schedule or learn what is available.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving La Crosse 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.
ADRC of La Crosse County
Runs: Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC of La Crosse County)
La Crosse Co Hs (local WHEAP agency)
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center)
La Crosse County specialized transportation (WisDOT §85.21 aid)
Wisconsin and federal programs
Open to eligible households in La Crosse County and across the rest of Wisconsin. Full details are on the Wisconsin benefits page.
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)State · Wisconsin$100–$1,500/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 →
- FoodShare Wisconsin (SNAP) for Older AdultsState · Wisconsin$300–$3,500/yrCashOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Wisconsin Medicaid for the Elderly, Blind or Disabled (EBD)State · Wisconsin$2,000–$15,000/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 →
- Medigap Helpline & Part D Counseling (Board on Aging) — WisconsinState · Wisconsinabout $0/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance — WisconsinState · Wisconsin$300–$3,000/yrLower billsOfficial 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 →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrCashOfficial source →
- Wisconsin SSI State Supplement & SSI-EState · Wisconsin$1,000–$3,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Family Care & IRIS (Long-Term Care Programs) — WisconsinState · Wisconsin$5,000–$50,000/yrService valueOfficial 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 Programs (QMB / SLMB / SLMB+) — WisconsinState · Wisconsin$2,000–$8,000/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
Nutrition
- Senior Dining & Home-Delivered Meals — WisconsinState · Wisconsin$500–$2,500/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 →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federal$0–$1,125/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Homestead Credit — WisconsinState · Wisconsin$100–$1,168/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Property Tax Deferral Loan Program (WHEDA) — WisconsinState · Wisconsin$500–$4,000/yrLower billsOfficial 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 →
- Veterans & Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit — WisconsinState · Wisconsin$1,000–$6,000/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.