Senior benefits in DeKalb County, Georgia

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the Area Agency on Aging for DeKalb County, serving older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers through its Empowerline service. ARC's aging team is a No Wrong Door / Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) access point: one call connects you to in-home care, home-delivered and group meals, transportation, caregiver support, benefits screening, and the Medicaid Community Care Services Program waiver. Services are for adults 60 and older, with priority for those in greatest need. Reach Empowerline at 404-463-3333.

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

Partnership for Community Action (PCA) delivers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for DeKalb County. LIHEAP makes a one-time payment toward a household's home heating or cooling bill to reduce the energy burden on income-eligible households. Households qualify with income at or below 60% of the state median income, and seniors 65 and older and the medically homebound can apply early each season. PCA also offers other utility, family self-sufficiency, and Community Services Block Grant supports. Apply through PCA; help is first-come, first-served until seasonal funds run out, so apply early.

Estimated bill savings: $400–$810 a year

Grady Health System is the public safety-net hospital serving DeKalb County (DeKalb and Fulton are Grady's two owner counties). Grady's Financial Assistance Program provides free or discounted hospital care to patients who cannot afford to pay. Eligibility is based on household income measured against the federal poverty guidelines, along with family size and county of residence; qualifying patients receive a charity-care discount or a sliding-scale reduction. You can apply before a scheduled service or up to 240 days after your first billing statement. A financial counselor can help you apply. For questions, call Patient Financial Services at 404-616-2991, Monday through Friday.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$20,000 a year

In this county: Grady financial assistance is income-tested against the federal poverty guidelines (sliding-scale discounts plus full charity care for the lowest incomes) and considers family size and county of residence. Because the discount is set by individual review, this shows as a may-qualify result. Apply before service or within 240 days of the first bill.

MARTA operates the bus and rail system serving DeKalb County. Riders 65 and older qualify for a Reduced Fare Breeze card and pay just $1 per trip instead of the standard fare. People with a qualifying disability and Medicare cardholders are also eligible. To get the card, show a valid photo ID with your date of birth (driver's license, state ID, or passport); the first card is free. The reduced-fare Breeze card works system-wide on MARTA bus and rail — just tap and ride.

Estimated service value: $200–$1,500 a year