Senior benefits in Washington County, Georgia

The CSRA Regional Commission is the Area Agency on Aging for Washington County (Sandersville). 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 Washington 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

Washington County Regional Medical Center in Sandersville runs a Charity Care Program for patients who cannot pay for non-elective care. Uninsured patients get charity care when gross family income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines; insured patients qualify at or below 200%. Patients above those limits whose bill is 25% or more of their yearly income can ask for a catastrophic charity adjustment. Charity care is secondary to Medicaid, insurance and other resources, so you must apply for those first. The policy and application are posted on the hospital's organizational and financial information page; call the hospital at 478-240-2000 and ask for a financial counselor.

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

In this county: WCRMC charity care covers non-elective care only, is secondary to Medicaid and insurance, and uses a 300% federal-poverty limit for uninsured patients but 200% for insured patients; this check screens at the higher limit, so this shows as a may-qualify result. The hospital makes the final determination after a completed application.

Georgia's DHS Coordinated Transportation System provides demand-response, curb-to-curb rides in Washington County (Sandersville) 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