Senior benefits in Cherokee County, Alabama
Not in Alabama? Cherokee County, Georgia · Cherokee County, North Carolina · Cherokee County, Oklahoma · Cherokee County, South Carolina · Cherokee County, Texas
Seniors in Cherokee County, Alabama, and their families have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday needs. The East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (EARPDC) Area Agency on Aging is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults to services and support across the county. Cherokee County Rural Transit, also run through EARPDC, provides public transportation options for those who need a ride. Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center offers a financial assistance program for eligible patients, and the Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama can help with energy costs through LIHEAP. At the state level, programs like Alabama Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, SenioRx, and Alabama SHIP offer help with health care and prescription costs. Homeowners 65 and older may also qualify for a homestead property tax exemption. Dozens of federal programs apply here as well. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, and the sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
4
Local programs
12
Alabama programs
25
Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · October 12, 2026
Local starting point
East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (EARPDC) Area Agency on Aging
1-256-237-6741
See which of these Cherokee County programs you may qualify for.
Discover my benefitsHelping others? Print the Cherokee 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 Cherokee County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Cherokee County. Start here.
Elder Services in Cherokee County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission) — Cherokee
County · AlabamaThe East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (EARPDC) runs the Area Agency on Aging for 10 counties in east Alabama, including Cherokee County. Its Aging and Disability Resource Center helps adults 60 and older, people with disabilities, and family caregivers find services. Programs include senior centers and meals, Alabama Cares caregiver support, Medicaid Waiver in-home help, SHIP Medicare counseling, SenioRx prescription help, legal help for older adults, the long-term care ombudsman, and senior jobs. Call 256-237-6741 or 1-800-239-6741, or the Alabama Ageline at 1-800-243-5463.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Cherokee County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $280–$1,100 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama) — Cherokee
County · AlabamaThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Cherokee County, LIHEAP applications are taken by the Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama. Household income must not be more than 150% of the federal poverty level, and the program targets older adults, people with disabilities, and young children. Call 855-287-1730 to ask how to apply or to check on an application. ADECA, the state office, does not take applications. Help depends on available funds.
Estimated bill savings: $280–$1,100 a year
Healthcare in Cherokee County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center) — Cherokee
County · AlabamaAtrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre is part of Atrium Health. Its financial assistance program is for Alabama residents (and residents of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia) who show financial need. Patients with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines get 100% financial assistance, and those between 301% and 400% get partial help. Uninsured patients get a 50% discount automatically, and interest-free payment plans are available. Call Patient Customer Service at 844-440-6536.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Cherokee County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Rural Public Transit (Cherokee County Rural Transit, EARPDC) — Cherokee
County · AlabamaCherokee County Rural Transit gives demand-response rides to residents of Cherokee County, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call ahead to schedule a pickup. Senior citizens and people with disabilities pay $1 for the first five miles and 50 cents for each additional five miles. Call 256-927-7472.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Cherokee 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.
Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama, Inc.
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama)
Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center)
Cherokee County Rural Transit (East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission)
Runs: Rural Public Transit (Cherokee County Rural Transit, EARPDC)
East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (EARPDC) Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission)
Alabama and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Cherokee County and across the rest of Alabama. Full details are on the Alabama benefits page.
Money & income2 programs
Cash paid to you, and emergency help when money runs short.
Health & Medicare costs8 programs
Medicaid, Medicare savings, and help with drug and doctor bills.
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI-1)
- Alabama Medicaid for people 65+, blind, or disabled (SSI and SSI-related)
- SenioRx — free or low-cost prescription drugs
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)
- Qualifying Individual (QI)
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Food7 programs
SNAP (food stamps), meals, and farmers market coupons.
- SNAP food assistance (Alabama Food Assistance Program)
- Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (Alabama)
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food Box
- Congregate Meals at Senior Centers
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for Seniors
Home, bills & taxes8 programs
Help with heating and electric bills, rent, property taxes, and home repairs.
- LIHEAP energy assistance (Alabama)
- Homestead exemption for homeowners 65+, disabled, or blind (property tax)
- Alabama income tax: retirement income exclusion for age 65+ (and exempt Social Security and pensions)
- Federal Lifeline
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Care at home & long-term care3 programs
Help staying in your home, nursing home alternatives, and support for family caregivers.
Help, advice & legal6 programs
Free counseling, legal help, rides, and other senior services.
- Free legal help for adults 60+ (Legal Assistance Program)
- Alabama SHIP — free Medicare and insurance counseling
- Alabama Community Transition (ACT) Waiver — help moving out of a nursing home
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
Veterans3 programs
Benefits for veterans and their surviving spouses.
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.
