Senior benefits in Spencer County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Spencer County residents is delivered through Lincoln Hills Development Corporation (LHDC), the Community Action agency IHCDA assigns to the county. 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 LHDC's EAP staff (800-467-1435, ext. 275).

Estimated bill savings: $100–$625 a year

Spencer 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. Spencer County has 9 townships; find your trustee through the county offices. (2) SWIRCA & More for senior case management, meals, and PathWays/CHOICE (812-464-7817). (3) Lincoln Hills Development Corporation (LHDC) for EAP utility help. (4) The county hospital Financial Assistance Programs for healthcare. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities of Evansville. (6) Tri-State Food Bank. (7) Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

Spencer County hospital safety net: Spencer = no in-county acute hospital; served by Deaconess (Evansville) and Memorial Hospital (Jasper). 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.deaconess.com/pay-my-bill/financial-assistance. Phone: 812-450-5000.

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

In this county: Spencer: Spencer = no in-county acute hospital; served by Deaconess (Evansville) and Memorial Hospital (Jasper). Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Spencer County's Area Agency on Aging is SWIRCA & More — Area 12 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 812-464-7817 or 866-400-0779.

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

Ride Solution provides rural public transportation across ten southwestern Indiana counties, including Spencer County. Anyone can ride, at any age, for any purpose. One-way fares are $2.00 in town, $4.00 within one county, and $6.00 county-to-county, plus $1.00 for an extra in-town stop; children 7-12 ride for $1.00 with a paying adult and children 6 and under ride free. There is no senior discount — the benefit is the low, subsidized fare itself. Call (812) 254-3225, Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., to schedule a ride.

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