Senior benefits in Parke County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Parke County residents is delivered through Community Action Program, Inc. of Western Indiana (CAPWI), 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 online through IHCDA's LITT portal (opens October 1, 2026; linked from in.gov/ihcda) or CAPWI's Parke County office (765-731-1850).

Estimated bill savings: $100–$625 a year

Parke 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. Parke County has 13 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) Thrive West Central for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (812-238-1561). (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) Catholic Charities Foodbank of Terre Haute (serving the Wabash Valley). (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

Parke County hospital safety net: Parke = no in-county acute hospital; served by Union Health (Terre Haute) + Crawfordsville/Lafayette systems to the north. 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.union.health/financial-assistance. Phone: 812-238-4411.

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

In this county: Parke: Parke = no in-county acute hospital; served by Union Health (Terre Haute) + Crawfordsville/Lafayette systems to the north. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Parke County's Area Agency on Aging is Thrive West Central (Area 7 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; and home modifications. Thrive West Central is one of Indiana's 16 AAAs, serving the 6-county Wabash Valley. Apply by calling 812-917-3145 or 800-489-1561.

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

Thrive Rural Transit provides demand-response public transportation in Clay, Parke, Vermillion, and Vigo counties, including Parke County. Thrive transportation is free to anyone. In Clay, Parke, Vermillion, and Vigo counties, seniors and people with disabilities can ride to medical appointments, nutrition sites, grocery stores, adult day centers, senior centers, government offices, and banks; in Vigo County, riders of all ages can use it for any type of trip that begins or ends outside the Vigo urbanized area. Rides are completely free, with a suggested donation of $2.00 (the Brazil city route, added February 2025, is $1.00 per day). Call (812) 232-2675 or (800) 489-1561 to reserve a ride.

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