Senior benefits in Johnson County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Johnson County residents is delivered through Human Services, Inc. (HSI), the Community Action agency for Bartholomew, Decatur, Jackson, Johnson, and Shelby counties. 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 online through IHCDA's LITT portal (opens October 1, 2026; linked from in.gov/ihcda) or HSI (812-372-8407 or 800-296-8026; application drop box at 486 N. Morton St., Franklin).

Estimated bill savings: $100–$625 a year

Johnson 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. Johnson County has 9 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (317-803-6131). (3) The county EAP Local Service Provider for utility help. (4) The county hospital Financial Assistance Programs for healthcare. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities Indianapolis. (6) Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. (7) Dial 211 (Connect2Help) for general referrals.

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

Johnson County hospital safety net: Johnson = Johnson Memorial Health (Franklin, INDEPENDENT) + Community Hospital South (Greenwood) + Franciscan — the southern-suburbs market. 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.johnsonmemorial.org/. Phone: 317-736-3300.

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

In this county: Johnson: Johnson = Johnson Memorial Health (Franklin, INDEPENDENT) + Community Hospital South (Greenwood) + Franciscan — the southern-suburbs market. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Johnson County's Area Agency on Aging is CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions — Area 8 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 317-803-6131.

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

CICOA's Community Health Workers give up to 90 days of free, one-on-one support in Johnson County, at home or in the community. A trained worker helps you understand your health and medicines, get ready for and follow up after doctor visits, and find food, housing and transportation help. You may qualify if you had a hospital or ER visit in the last 30 days, a fall in the past 3 months, lost your main caregiver in the past 6 months, have not seen a primary care doctor in 12 months, have a chronic health condition, or need help with food, housing or transportation. Caregivers of someone who meets one of these can join too. Sign up with the online form or call CICOA's Resource Center at 317-803-6131.

CICOA's My Freedom program gives adults age 60 and older, and people of any age with a disability, discounted rides around central Indiana, including Johnson County. Riders pay 25% of the trip cost. Rides can be for any purpose — work, medical visits, church, groceries, the pharmacy or seeing friends — and run 24 hours a day, every day, through zTrip, with wheelchair-accessible minivans (book those 48 hours ahead). An escort or personal care assistant rides at no extra cost. Apply online or call CICOA's Way2Go line at 317-803-6153 (option 4).

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

Access Johnson County is a transportation service for all citizens of Johnson County — all fares are the same for everyone. Zone rides within Johnson County are $4.00 (exact cash; $1.00 more into Marion County to the Stop 11 area, double fare for same-day requests), with a free fixed-route transfer. Register and schedule at 317-738-5523.

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

In this county: Johnson: open to everyone — 'all fares are the same for everyone,' so there is no senior discount. Call 317-738-5523 to register and book (same-day rides cost double).

Johnson County Senior Services gives free door-to-door rides to Johnson County residents age 60 and over. Rides go anywhere in Johnson County and into southern Marion County as far as Southport Road. You can ride to medical appointments, errands, work, business, and recreation. Call at least 4 days ahead (up to two weeks ahead) at 317-738-4544, Monday through Friday. Ongoing trips, such as dialysis or therapy, can be set up on a standing schedule.

Estimated service value: about $0 a year

In this county: Book at least 4 days ahead. If you live in an outlying area, make appointments between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. so the driver has time to reach you. Not legal or financial advice.

Access Johnson County gives veterans who live in Johnson County free shared rides to the Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. Volunteer drivers run the van on Mondays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ride is free from the Access pickup location; if you need a pickup at home, Access charges its regular fare for that leg. You must be able to step up one step to board the van. Call 317-738-5523 at least 24 hours ahead (by 1:00 p.m. the day before) to reserve a seat.

Estimated service value: about $0 a year

In this county: Rides go only to Roudebush VA Medical Center, on Mondays and Fridays, and are shared with other riders. Not legal or financial advice.