Senior benefits in Dougherty County, Georgia

The Sowega Council on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Dougherty County (Albany). 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, wellness programs, 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 Sowega ADRC at 1-800-282-6612.

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

The Southwest Georgia Community Action Council (SWGACAC), based in Moultrie, delivers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Dougherty County. LIHEAP makes a payment (up to about $400) 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; residents who are 65 or older or medically homebound are a priority and can apply starting in December each year. Call SWGACAC at 229-985-3610 for an appointment; help is first-come, first-served until funds run out.

Estimated bill savings: $400–$810 a year

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany serves Dougherty County (Albany). Phoebe Putney's financial assistance program provides free or discounted care based on household income compared with the federal poverty guidelines. In recent guidelines, households under about 204% of the poverty level qualify for free care and families under about 322% qualify for discounted care. Those eligible 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

The Albany Transit System runs fixed-route buses plus ADA paratransit across Dougherty County (Albany). Seniors 65 and older and people with a qualifying disability ride fixed routes for a reduced $0.50 fare (regular fare $1.70), and a Senior/Disabled monthly pass costs $20 (regular $45); ADA paratransit serves riders whose disability prevents them from using fixed routes and requires an application. Call the Albany Transit System at 229-446-2700 (TTY 711) for routes, the reduced-fare card, 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; ADA paratransit eligibility is determined by application, so this shows as a may-qualify result.