Senior benefits in Benton County, Iowa

Heritage Area Agency on Aging, in Cedar Rapids, is the Area Agency on Aging for Benton County. Its services include information and referral, options counseling, case management, caregiver support, home-delivered meals for homebound adults 60 and older and their spouses, nutrition counseling, balance and fall-prevention classes, senior farmers market checks, and an elder rights program for abuse, neglect and exploitation. Meal sites in Benton County: Belle Plaine Community Center (319-444-3135). Services are offered on a contribution basis to adults 60 and older and their caregivers. Call 319-398-5559 (toll free 800-332-5934).

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

LIHEAP (the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) gives a one-time payment toward winter heating bills for households with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Households with someone 60 or older or disabled can apply starting October 1; everyone else can apply starting November 1, and applications close April 30. In Benton County, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) takes LIHEAP applications. HACAP's North Benton Office is at 202 E 4th Street in Vinton. Call 319-472-4761. Applications for households with someone 60 or older or disabled cannot be done online; mail them to the local HACAP office. If you have a disconnect notice, are at 30% or less on deliverable fuel, or your furnace does not heat, contact the office right away.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lists an office for Benton County at 811 D Avenue, Suite 20, Vinton. Phone: 319-472-4746 or toll free 888-480-0062. Iowa HHS says you can apply for SNAP food benefits and for Medicaid health coverage, including Medicaid for older adults and people with disabilities, at your local HHS office. You can also apply online through the Iowa HHS Benefits Portal, or apply for Medicaid by phone at 1-855-889-7985.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Benton County Transportation gives door-to-door, wheelchair-accessible public transit rides anywhere in Benton County for everyone, including people with disabilities. It is one of six county providers in the CorridorRides regional system. Service hours are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office is at 611 W. 9th St. in Vinton. Call 319-472-2413 to request a ride and ask about fares.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year

Benton County Veterans Affairs, at the Benton County Service Center, 811 D Ave., Suite 34 in Vinton, helps veterans and their dependents apply for VA health care, disability compensation, pension and survivor benefits. Its county Emergency Assistance can help with an unexpected expense that causes a financial hardship. To qualify, you must have lived in Benton County at least 30 days; the veteran needs an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge and at least 90 consecutive days of active duty beyond training, or a VA service-connected disability; household income must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines; and savings and other countable assets must be no more than $2,000 for a single person or $4,000 for a family (your home, life insurance, retirement accounts and up to two vehicles do not count). Hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; call 319-472-3150 for an appointment.

Estimated cash: $200–$1,500 a year