Senior benefits in Russell County, Alabama
Not in Alabama? Russell County, Kentucky · Russell County, Virginia
Seniors living in Russell County, Alabama have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with healthcare, housing costs, food, energy bills, and more. The Lee-Russell Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults to services and can help you figure out where to begin. Local programs specific to this county include Hospital Financial Assistance through East Alabama Medical Center, energy bill help through the Macon Russell Community Action Agency's LIHEAP program, and transportation options through Lee-Russell Public Transit and Phenix City Express. At the state level, programs like Alabama Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, SenioRx, and the Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver may help cover medical and in-home care costs. Homeowners 65 and older may also qualify for a property tax homestead 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. 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
Lee-Russell Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging
1-334-749-5264
See which of these Russell County programs you may qualify for.
Discover my benefitsHelping others? Print the Russell 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 Russell County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Russell County. Start here.
Elder Services in Russell County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Lee-Russell Council of Governments) — Russell
County · AlabamaThe Lee-Russell Council of Governments is the Area Agency on Aging for Lee and Russell counties, including Russell County. It helps adults 60 and older, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Services include senior centers (five in Lee County and four in Russell County) with hot meals, frozen home-delivered meals for people 60 and older, Medicaid Waiver in-home care, the nursing home ombudsman and legal help referrals, health screenings, SenioRx prescription help, Alabama Cares caregiver support, and SHIP Medicare counseling. Call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 334-749-5264.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Russell County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $280–$1,100 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Macon Russell Community Action Agency) — Russell
County · AlabamaThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Russell County, LIHEAP applications are taken by the Macon Russell Community Action Agency. 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 334-408-4066 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 Russell County
Hospital Financial Assistance (East Alabama Medical Center) — Russell
County · AlabamaRussell County's only hospital, Jack Hughston Memorial in Phenix City, is an orthopedic hospital and does not publish a financial assistance program. The nearest Alabama general hospital is East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) in Opelika, which has a financial assistance program for patients without health insurance or who cannot pay in full. Help can range from charity care to help paying medical bills, and you can also apply for an uninsured discount. Call 334-528-1275 to request an application.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Russell County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public Transit (Lee-Russell Public Transit and Phenix City Express) — Russell
County · AlabamaLee-Russell Public Transit (LRPT) gives free, curb-to-curb on-demand rides to the general public in Lee and Russell counties, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. No doctor's approval is needed. Call 334-749-9092 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at least one business day ahead. In Phenix City, the Phenix City Express (PEX) runs free fixed routes and ADA paratransit; call 877-743-3739 for PEX.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Russell 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.
Lee-Russell Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Lee-Russell Council of Governments)
Macon Russell Community Action Agency, Inc.
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Macon Russell Community Action Agency)
East Alabama Medical Center (East Alabama Health)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (East Alabama Medical Center)
Lee-Russell Public Transit and Phenix City Express (Lee-Russell Council of Governments)
Runs: Public Transit (Lee-Russell Public Transit and Phenix City Express)
Alabama and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Russell 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.