Senior benefits in DeKalb County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for DeKalb County residents is delivered through Brightpoint (the regional Community Action agency), the Community Action agency for northeast 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). Apply through the Indiana EAP client portal (in.gov/ihcda) or Brightpoint (260-423-3546).

Estimated bill savings: $100–$625 a year

DeKalb 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; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (260-745-1200). (3) Brightpoint for EAP utility help. (4) The county hospital Financial Assistance Programs for healthcare. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities of Fort Wayne-South Bend. (6) Community Harvest Food Bank of NE Indiana. (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

DeKalb County hospital safety net: DeKalb = Parkview DeKalb Hospital (Auburn, Parkview Health) — county anchor, with the Parkview Fort Wayne flagship for higher-acuity care. Indiana hospitals do not have a single state-mandated charity-care law (unlike New Jersey); each runs its own Financial Assistance Program (Parkview, for example, offers financial assistance to patients whose family income does not exceed 275% of the federal poverty guidelines), and non-profit hospitals must offer one. Apply by mail or fax with a signed application, by calling the Patient Services Financial Call Center, at any Parkview cashier office, or at https://www.parkview.com/patients-and-visitors/billing-and-insurance/financial-assistance. Phone: 260-266-6700 (toll-free 855-814-0012).

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

In this county: DeKalb: DeKalb = Parkview DeKalb Hospital (Auburn, Parkview Health) — county anchor, with the Parkview Fort Wayne flagship for higher-acuity care. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

DeKalb County's Area Agency on Aging is Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana — Area 3 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); transportation; and home modifications. One of Indiana's 16 AAAs. Apply by calling 260-745-1200 or 800-552-3662.

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

DART (DeKalb Area Rural Transit), run by the DeKalb County Council on Aging, provides demand-response public transportation across DeKalb County for seniors, riders with disabilities, and people of all ages — there are no eligibility requirements. Fares run about $5.00 per rider per stop within a city or town and $6.00 outside town limits (confirm current rates when booking). New riders fill out a short rider form; reserve rides a day ahead, with scheduling open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 260-925-3311 to schedule.

Estimated service value: $500–$2,500 a year

In this county: DeKalb: open to everyone — no age requirement. Call 260-925-3311 a day ahead; confirm the current per-stop fare when booking.