Senior benefits in Orange County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Orange County residents is delivered through Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corporation (Community Action), which is both the Area 15 AAA and 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), with a Crisis benefit for imminent disconnection. Apply through the Indiana EAP client portal (in.gov/ihcda) or Hoosier Uplands (812-849-4457).

Estimated bill savings: $100–$625 a year

Orange 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. Orange County has 8 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) Hoosier Uplands for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (812-849-4457). (3) Hoosier Uplands Community Action for EAP utility help. (4) The county hospital Financial Assistance Programs for healthcare. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities. (6) Hoosier Hills Food Bank (serving South Central Indiana). (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

Orange County hospital safety net: Orange = IU Health Paoli (IU Health critical access) — the county anchor near French Lick / West Baden. 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://iuhealth.org/pay-a-bill/financial-assistance. Phone: 812-723-2811.

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

In this county: Orange: Orange = IU Health Paoli (IU Health critical access) — the county anchor near French Lick / West Baden. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Orange County's Area Agency on Aging is Hoosier Uplands (Area 15 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; licensed home health & hospice; and affordable housing. Hoosier Uplands is a combined AAA + Community Action Agency and one of Indiana's 16 AAAs. Apply by calling 812-849-4457 or 800-238-2937.

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

Orange County Transit, run by the First Chance Center in Paoli, provides demand-response, curb-to-curb public transportation in Orange County. Anyone can ride. Call 812-723-4043 (toll-free 888-826-2920) to schedule a ride and confirm current fares.

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

In this county: Orange: open to everyone — no age requirement. Call 812-723-4043 to schedule and ask current fares.