Senior benefits in Houston County, Alabama
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Seniors living in Houston County, Alabama have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, food, energy bills, transportation, and more. The Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA) is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults to services and support across the region. Other local resources include financial assistance through Southeast Health Medical Center for those who need help with hospital bills, energy bill help through the Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership's LIHEAP program, and rides through the Wiregrass Transit Authority for seniors who need transportation. At the state level, programs like Alabama Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, SenioRx, and Alabama SHIP offer help with health coverage, prescription costs, and insurance questions. Homeowners 65 and older may also qualify for a homestead property tax exemption. Federal programs add even more options for eligible seniors. This page lists each program with its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
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Local programs
12
Alabama programs
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Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · October 12, 2026
Local starting point
Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA)
1-334-793-6843
See which of these Houston County programs you may qualify for.
Discover my benefitsHelping others? Print the Houston 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 Houston County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Houston County. Start here.
Elder Services in Houston 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)) — Houston
County · AlabamaThe Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA) is the Area Agency on Aging for Houston 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 Houston County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $280–$1,100 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership) — Houston
County · AlabamaThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Houston County, LIHEAP is handled by the Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership, based at 100 George Wallace Drive in Enterprise. Household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Call the agency's call center at 844-680-2044 (main office 334-347-0881) to apply or check on an application. ADECA does not take applications.
Estimated bill savings: $280–$1,100 a year
Healthcare in Houston County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Southeast Health Medical Center) — Houston
County · AlabamaSoutheast Health in Dothan offers financial assistance to patients who have no health insurance and cannot pay their bill. Help comes as discounts based on income, assets and need. Patients must first apply for any state assistance they may qualify for, such as Medicaid. Call Patient Financial Services at 334-712-3713, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, for an application or help.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Houston County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Wiregrass Transit Authority) — Houston
County · AlabamaWiregrass Transit Authority, run by the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, gives door-to-door Dial-a-Ride trips in Dothan and Houston County for errands, medical visits and work. All vehicles are wheelchair accessible. One-way fares are $3 inside Dothan, $6 from places such as Webb, Ashford and Cottonwood, and $10 from places such as Gordon and Columbia. Call 334-836-5555 between 8 am and 2 pm, one business day to two weeks ahead.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Houston 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.
Southeast Health Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Southeast Health Medical Center)
Wiregrass Transit Authority (SEARP&DC)
Runs: Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Wiregrass Transit Authority)
Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA))
Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership)
Alabama and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Houston 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.