Senior benefits in Chatham County, Georgia

The Coastal Regional Commission is the Area Agency on Aging for Chatham County (Savannah). As an Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) one-call access point, it links older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities to in-home care, home-delivered and group meals, transportation, caregiver support, benefits counseling, and the Medicaid Community Care Services Program waiver. Services are for adults 60 and older, with priority for those in greatest need. Call the Coastal Georgia ADRC at 1-800-580-6860.

Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year

The Economic Opportunity Authority for Savannah-Chatham County Area (EOA) delivers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Chatham County. LIHEAP makes a payment toward a household's primary heating or cooling bill for income-eligible households (eligible households can receive up to two payments per year), with crisis help when a shutoff is imminent. Households qualify with income at or below 60% of the state median income; residents who are 65 or older or medically homebound are a priority and may apply early each season. Apply through EOA at 912-238-2960; help is first-come, first-served until funds run out.

Estimated bill savings: $400–$810 a year

In this county: LIHEAP through the EOA is income-tested at or below 60% of the state median income and is first-come, first-served until seasonal funds are exhausted, so this shows as a may-qualify result. Residents 65+ or medically homebound may apply early each season.

Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah serves Chatham County (Savannah). The hospital's financial assistance (charity care) program offers free or discounted care to lower-income, uninsured, and underinsured patients, based on a review of household income and family size compared with the federal poverty guidelines. Those who qualify are never billed more than the amounts generally billed to insured patients. Financial counselors can help you apply.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$18,000 a year

In this county: Memorial Health provides free or discounted (charity) care to lower-income, uninsured, and underinsured patients based on a review of household income and family size, so this shows as a may-qualify result. Financial counselors can help you apply.

Chatham Area Transit (CAT) runs fixed-route buses, the free downtown shuttle, and CAT Mobility origin-to-destination ADA paratransit across Chatham County (Savannah). Seniors 65 and older and people with a qualifying disability ride fixed routes for a reduced fare with a Medicare card or CAT reduced-fare ID; CAT Mobility paratransit serves riders whose disability prevents them from using fixed routes and requires an application. Call CAT for routes, the reduced-fare ID, and paratransit eligibility.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,200 a year

In this county: Reduced fixed-route fares are available to seniors and people with a qualifying disability; CAT Mobility paratransit eligibility is determined by application, so this shows as a may-qualify result.

H2OC is a City of Savannah utility bill discount for low-income seniors and residents with disabilities. Qualified customers can save up to $179 a year on their City of Savannah utility bill. It is open to City of Savannah utility customers both inside and outside the city limits. The account must be in your name. Seniors must be 65 or older with household income at or below the poverty level for their household size. Residents with disabilities must be 18 to 64 and get SSI or SSDI. The city does not take applications: seniors apply through Senior Citizens, Inc. at 912-236-0363, and residents with disabilities through L.I.F.E., Inc. at 912-920-2414. You must re-certify every year.

Estimated bill savings: $0–$179 a year

In this county: You must have a City of Savannah utility account in your name. Seniors 65+ must have household income at or below the poverty level used by the Georgia Division of Aging Services for their household size. Residents with disabilities must be 18 to 64 and receive SSI or SSDI. Seniors call Senior Citizens, Inc. (912-236-0363); residents with disabilities call L.I.F.E., Inc. (912-920-2414).