Senior benefits in Putnam County, Georgia
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Seniors in Putnam County, Georgia, and their family caregivers have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday needs. The Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging serves as a key local starting point, connecting residents to services across the region. Local programs also include Middle Georgia Coordinated Transportation, which can help with getting to appointments, and Energy Assistance through LIHEAP for help with utility costs. Seniors who receive care at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital may want to look into the hospital's Financial Assistance program. At the state level, programs like GeorgiaCares, the Community Care Services Program, Georgia Medicare Savings Programs, and the Georgia Senior Homestead Exemption may offer meaningful support. Dozens of federal programs apply here as well. This page lists each program with its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision, so reaching out directly is the best next step.
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Local programs
18
Georgia programs
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Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · October 12, 2026
Local starting point
Middle Georgia Regional Commission (MGRC) Area Agency on Aging — Macon
888-548-1456
See which of these Putnam County programs you may qualify for.
Discover my benefitsHelping others? Print the Putnam 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 Putnam County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Putnam County. Start here.
Elder Services in Putnam County
Programs here typically provide services worth $500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging — Putnam County
County · GeorgiaThe Middle Georgia Regional Commission (MGRC) is the Area Agency on Aging for Putnam County. As an Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) 'one-call connection,' 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 Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging at 888-548-1456.
Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Putnam County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $400–$810 a year.
Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) — Putnam County
County · GeorgiaThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps Putnam County households pay home heating and cooling bills, with a seasonal payment and crisis help when a shutoff is imminent. 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. LIHEAP is delivered locally through the county's designated Community Action Agency. Apply through your local Community Action Agency or DFCS; help is first-come, first-served until funds run out.
Estimated bill savings: $400–$810 a year
Healthcare in Putnam County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $500–$18,000 a year.
St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital Financial Assistance — Putnam County
County · GeorgiaPutnam County (Eatonton) is served by the small Putnam General Hospital in-county and by St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital at Lake Oconee (Greensboro), part of St. Mary's Health Care System (a Catholic, not-for-profit Trinity Health provider). St. Mary's offers charity care and below-cost discounted care to patients who meet income criteria. In recent guidelines, households under about 212% of the federal poverty level qualify for free care and families under about 311% qualify for discounted care. A financial counselor can help determine eligibility.
Estimated bill savings: $500–$18,000 a year
In this county: St. Mary's offers free care for households under ~212% of the federal poverty level and discounted care under ~311%; eligibility is set by individual review, so this shows as a may-qualify result. Putnam County also has the small in-county Putnam General Hospital (Eatonton).
Transportation in Putnam County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Middle Georgia Coordinated Transportation — Putnam County
County · GeorgiaThe Middle Georgia Regional Commission administers the regional coordinated public transportation program serving Putnam County (Eatonton), providing demand-response, curb-to-curb rides for medical appointments, shopping, senior centers, and essential errands. There are no fixed routes — trips are scheduled in advance. Contact MGRC at 478-751-6160 for the local transportation contact and to arrange service.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Putnam 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.
St. Mary's Health Care System
Runs: St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital Financial Assistance
Middle Georgia Regional Commission (MGRC)
Middle Georgia Regional Commission (MGRC) Area Agency on Aging
Georgia DHS / Division of Family & Children Services
Georgia and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Putnam County and across the rest of Georgia. Full details are on the Georgia benefits page.
Money & income2 programs
Cash paid to you, and emergency help when money runs short.
Health & Medicare costs7 programs
Medicaid, Medicare savings, and help with drug and doctor bills.
Food6 programs
SNAP (food stamps), meals, and farmers market coupons.
Home, bills & taxes9 programs
Help with heating and electric bills, rent, property taxes, and home repairs.
- Georgia Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
- Georgia Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption (Property Tax)
- Georgia Senior Homestead Exemption (Age 65+ — $4,000)
- Georgia Disabled Veteran Vehicle Tax Exemption (One Vehicle, Ad Valorem / TAVT)
- 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 care6 programs
Help staying in your home, nursing home alternatives, and support for family caregivers.
- Community Care Services Program (CCSP) — Medicaid Elderly & Disabled Waiver
- SOURCE — Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment
- Georgia War Veterans Homes (Skilled Nursing Care in Augusta and Milledgeville)
- Georgia Caregiver Support (National Family Caregiver Support Program)
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)
Help, advice & legal10 programs
Free counseling, legal help, rides, and other senior services.
- Georgia Non-Medicaid Home & Community-Based Services
- GeorgiaCares (Georgia SHIP — Free Medicare Counseling)
- Adult Guardianship Program — Guardian of Last Resort (Georgia)
- Georgia Discounted Disability Hunting & Fishing License (Disabled Veterans)
- Georgia Department of Veterans Service Claims Assistance (Free VA Claims Help)
- Elderly Legal Assistance Program (ELAP)
- Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemeteries (No-Cost Burial in Milledgeville and Glennville)
- 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.