Senior benefits in Madison County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Madison County residents is delivered through Interlocal Community Action Program (ICAP), the regional Community Action agency. 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 Interlocal Community Action Program (ICAP) (765-529-4403).

Estimated bill savings: $100–$625 a year

Madison 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. Madison County has 14 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) LifeStream Services for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (765-759-1121). (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. (6) Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

Madison County hospital safety net: Madison = Community Hospital Anderson (Community Health Network) + Ascension St. Vincent Anderson. 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.ecommunity.com/locations/community-hospital-anderson. Phone: 765-298-3300 (financial counselors; toll-free 866-298-3300).

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

In this county: Madison: Madison = Community Hospital Anderson (Community Health Network) + Ascension St. Vincent Anderson. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Madison County's Area Agency on Aging is LifeStream Services (Area 6 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; Meals on Wheels and congregate meals; caregiver support (NFCSP); transportation (TRAM); and home modifications. LifeStream is one of Indiana's 16 AAAs, serving 12 East Central Indiana counties. Apply by calling 765-759-1121 or 800-589-1121.

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

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 Madison 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. In Madison County, trips that start and end in Anderson are not covered. Apply online or call CICOA's Way2Go line at 317-803-6153 (option 4).

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

City of Anderson Transit System (CATS) runs fixed-route buses in Anderson (Madison County). Regular fare is $1.00; riders with a VIP Reduced Fare Card pay 50 cents. The VIP card is open to riders age 60 and over, Medicare recipients, and honorably discharged veterans — apply at the Downtown Terminal (1109 Main Street, 765-646-5747). CATS also runs Nifty Lift ADA paratransit ($2.00 one way). Rural Madison County outside Anderson is served by LifeStream's TRAM demand-response service (888-589-1121); riders 60 and over pay $2.50 per one-way trip.

Estimated service value: $50–$150 a year