Senior benefits in Sullivan County, Indiana

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for Sullivan County residents is delivered through Pace Community Action Agency, 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 Pace Community Action Agency (812-882-7927).

Estimated bill savings: $100–$625 a year

Sullivan 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. Sullivan County has 9 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

Sullivan County hospital safety net: Sullivan = Sullivan County Community Hospital (independent) — financial assistance + insurance navigation. 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://scch.health/financial-services/. Phone: 812-268-2654.

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

In this county: Sullivan: Sullivan = Sullivan County Community Hospital (independent) — financial assistance + insurance navigation. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).

Sullivan 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

Ride Solution provides rural public transportation across ten southwestern Indiana counties, including Sullivan 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