Senior benefits in Decatur County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Decatur County residents is delivered through Human Services, Inc. (HSI Indiana). EAP provides a one-time annual heating credit ($100–$625 for PY2026, plus up to $800 in winter crisis help) plus winter disconnection protection for households at or below 60% of the State Median Income (~$33,556/year for one person for program year 2027, which opens October 1, 2026), with a Crisis benefit for imminent disconnection. Apply through the Indiana EAP client portal (in.gov/ihcda) or Human Services, Inc. (HSI Indiana) (812-372-8407).

Estimated bill savings: $100–$625 a year

Decatur County emergency aid: (1) DISTINCTIVE to Indiana — each elected Township Trustee provides 'poor relief' (township assistance): emergency help with rent / eviction prevention, utility shutoff, food, clothing, medical needs, and burial expenses for residents of that township. Decatur County has 9 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) Thrive Alliance for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (812-372-6918). (3) The regional Community Action agency for EAP utility help. (4) The county hospital Financial Assistance Programs for healthcare. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities / Love Chapel (Columbus). (6) Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana (serving South Central Indiana). (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

Decatur County hospital safety net: Decatur = Decatur County Memorial Hospital (Greensburg, county-owned) — charity care + ClaimAid advocates. Indiana hospitals do not have a single state-mandated charity-care law (unlike New Jersey); each runs its own Financial Assistance Program, typically a sliding scale to 200-300% of the Federal Poverty Level, and non-profit hospitals must offer one. Apply at the hospital financial counseling office or at https://www.dcmh.net/patients-visitors/financial-assistance-program/. Phone: 812-663-1257.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$30,000 a year

In this county: Decatur: Decatur = Decatur County Memorial Hospital (Greensburg, county-owned) — charity care + ClaimAid advocates. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Decatur County's Area Agency on Aging is Thrive Alliance (Area 11 Agency on Aging). Services: Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) options counseling; enrollment/assessment for the Medicaid PathWays for Aging waiver and the state CHOICE program; home-delivered and congregate meals; caregiver support (NFCSP); rural transportation; affordable housing; and home modifications. Thrive Alliance has served South Central Indiana since 1981 and is one of Indiana's 16 AAAs. Apply by calling 812-372-6918.

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

Catch-A-Ride, run by LifeTime Resources, provides on-demand public transportation to anyone, for any purpose, across six southeastern Indiana counties (Dearborn, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland, Jefferson, and Decatur). Riders age 60 and over pay a reduced fare: $2.00 for trips up to 5 miles instead of the standard $3.00, plus $0.25 per mile beyond 5 miles. Cash, Medicaid, Medicaid Waiver, Medicare, and Managed Care are accepted. Buses run Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 800-330-7603 to set up a rider account and schedule rides up to 30 days ahead.

Estimated service value: $100–$600 a year