Senior benefits in Henry County, Illinois

Illinois LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) for Henry County residents is administered by Project NOW Community Action Agency (which serves Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island counties). LIHEAP provides a one-time heating/cooling benefit and reconnection help; the year-round PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) caps the energy bill at a percentage of income with monthly credits. Households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify; seniors 60+ get priority application windows. Apply through the agency (309-793-6391) or HelpIllinoisFamilies (877-411-9276).

Estimated bill savings: $250–$1,500 a year

Henry County emergency aid: (1) DISTINCTIVE to Illinois — TOWNSHIP GENERAL ASSISTANCE (GA): each township supervisor provides emergency 'General Assistance' for residents with little or no income — help with rent, utilities, food, and personal/medical needs (Illinois's analog to Indiana's township-trustee relief). Find your Henry County township supervisor through the county. (2) WIAAA for case management, meals, and the Community Care Program (309-793-6800). (3) Project NOW Community Action Agency for LIHEAP utility help. (4) The county hospital financial-assistance programs for medical bills. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities. (6) River Bend Foodbank / Midwest Food Bank pantries. (7) Dial 211.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$3,000 a year

Henry County hospital safety net: OSF Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee is a 25-bed critical access hospital run by nonprofit OSF HealthCare. Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo serves the north of the county, and the Quad Cities hospitals also serve the northwest. Both hospitals offer financial assistance for patients who have trouble paying their bills. Illinois law (the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act) requires discounts for uninsured patients. At rural and critical access hospitals, uninsured patients with family income at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines get a 100% discount, and those up to 300% get a discount. At other Illinois hospitals, the lines are 200% (free care) and 600% (discount). For OSF, call a patient services representative at 1-800-421-5700 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or apply online. For Hammond-Henry, call the Financial Counselor at 309-944-9120.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$35,000 a year

In this county: Henry: Henry = OSF Saint Luke Medical Center (Kewanee) + Hammond Henry Hospital (Geneseo, county district) + Quad Cities reach. Illinois law requires discounts for uninsured patients: at rural and critical access hospitals, free care up to 125% FPL and a discount up to 300% FPL.

Henry County's Area Agency on Aging is the Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging (WIAAA, an Aging & Disability Resource Center). Services: information and assistance; intake/referral for the Illinois Community Care Program (CCP) in-home services via a local Care Coordination Unit; home-delivered and congregate meals; family caregiver support (NFCSP); long-term care ombudsman; benefits counseling (SNAP / Medicare Part D / SHIP / Benefit Access); and adult protective services. WIAAA is one of Illinois's 13 Area Agencies on Aging. Call 309-793-6800 or 1-800-322-1051.

Estimated service value: $1,500–$6,000 a year

Henry County public transportation is provided through Henry County public transportation (county dial-a-ride / SHOW BUS), offering deviated-fixed-route and demand-response curb-to-curb rides for medical appointments, senior centers, and essential errands across Henry County (Kewanee, Geneseo, Colona, Cambridge, Galva, Orion, Atkinson). Seniors and people with disabilities ride at reduced fares; the Illinois Benefit Access Program (Illinois Department on Aging) provides additional free/reduced fares for income-eligible riders 65+. Schedule rides in advance.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year