Senior benefits in Covington County, Alabama
Not in Alabama? Covington County, Mississippi
Seniors in Covington County, Alabama have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs, health care, and staying independent at home. The Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA) is the local Area Agency on Aging serving this county and is a strong starting point for finding services. Covington residents may also qualify for help with energy bills through the Organized Community Action Program (OCAP), reduced-cost or free hospital care through Mizell Memorial Hospital's Financial Assistance program, and affordable transportation through the Covington Area Transit System (CATS). At the state level, programs like Alabama Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, SenioRx, and the Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver can help cover health and home care needs. Homeowners 65 and older may qualify for a property tax homestead exemption. Dozens of federal programs also apply here. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified — the sponsoring agency makes the final eligibility decision.
4
Local programs
12
Alabama programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Last verified · October 12, 2026
Local starting point
Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA)
1-334-793-6843
See which of these Covington County programs you may qualify for.
Discover my benefitsHelping others? Print the Covington 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 Covington County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Covington County. Start here.
Elder Services in Covington County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA)) — Covington
County · AlabamaThe Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA) is the Area Agency on Aging for Covington County and six other counties in southeast Alabama. It is also the area's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), a one-stop place for older adults, people with disabilities, family caregivers and veterans to learn about long-term support options. SARCOA runs senior centers, home delivered meals, Alabama Cares caregiver help, Medicare and insurance counseling, legal help and elder rights programs. Most services start at age 60. Call 334-793-6843 to get started.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Covington County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $280–$1,100 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Organized Community Action Program (OCAP)) — Covington
County · AlabamaThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Covington County, LIHEAP is handled by the Organized Community Action Program (OCAP), 507 North Three Notch Street in Troy. Household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. OCAP says it can make up to a $400 payment in an emergency for utilities, gas, wood, coal, kerosene, heaters or fans. Call 334-566-1712 to apply or check on an application. ADECA does not take applications.
Estimated bill savings: $280–$1,100 a year
Healthcare in Covington County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Mizell Memorial Hospital) — Covington
County · AlabamaMizell Memorial Hospital in Opp has a Financial Assistance Program for people who are uninsured or underinsured. Its policy summary says households under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines can get 100% help with hospital charges, and households up to 300% can get partial discounts. A patient care representative in the business office in the hospital lobby helps with the application, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Call 334-493-3541.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Covington County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Covington Area Transit System (CATS)) — Covington
County · AlabamaThe Covington Area Transit System (CATS) gives rides to all Covington County residents, of any age or ability, for medical visits, shopping, work and social outings. One-way fares are $2 inside city limits, $3.50 outside city limits and $4 within the county. Riders in manual wheelchairs who need more than curb-to-curb help are asked to bring an assistant, who rides free. Call 334-428-2667 at least 24 hours ahead; the cutoff for next-day rides is 3 pm. Vans run Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Covington 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.
Mizell Memorial Hospital
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Mizell Memorial Hospital)
Covington Area Transit System (CATS), Covington County Commission
Runs: Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Covington Area Transit System (CATS))
Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA))
Organized Community Action Program (OCAP)
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Organized Community Action Program (OCAP))
Alabama and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Covington 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.