Senior benefits in Columbia County, Georgia

The CSRA Regional Commission is the Area Agency on Aging for Columbia County (Evans). As an Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) one-call access point, it links older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers 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 CSRA Area Agency on Aging toll-free at 1-888-922-4464, or locally at 706-210-2018.

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

The CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority (CSRA EOA) delivers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Columbia County. LIHEAP makes a payment toward a household's primary heating or cooling bill for income-eligible households, with crisis help when a shutoff is imminent. Households qualify with income at or below 60% of the state median income, and residents who are 65 or older or medically homebound are a priority and may apply early each season. Apply through CSRA EOA; help is first-come, first-served until funds run out. Call 706-724-0701.

Estimated bill savings: $400–$810 a year

Columbia County (Evans) has no hospital of its own; residents most often use Piedmont Augusta Hospital in Augusta (formerly University Hospital). Piedmont Healthcare's Financial Assistance Program offers free or discounted care to lower-income patients. Patients with household income up to 200% of the federal poverty level may qualify for discounted care, and those with household resources up to 300% of the poverty guidelines may be eligible for fully discounted (free) services. Catastrophic assistance is also available for very large bills. Contact the Financial Assistance Center to apply.

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

In this county: Piedmont offers discounted care up to 200% of the federal poverty level and fully discounted care for household resources up to 300%; the level of help is set by individual review, so this shows as a may-qualify result. Financial Assistance Center: 888-233-7868. Columbia (Evans) has no in-county hospital; nearest is Piedmont Augusta Hospital in Augusta (formerly University Hospital).

Georgia's DHS Coordinated Transportation System provides demand-response, curb-to-curb rides in Columbia County (Evans) through the regional transportation office for the CSRA. There are no fixed routes — trips are requested in advance (usually at least 24 hours ahead) for medical appointments, senior centers, shopping, and essential errands. Older adults can arrange rides through the CSRA Area Agency on Aging at 706-210-2018.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year