Senior benefits in Buena Vista County, Iowa

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Buena Vista County and 28 other counties in north central, northwest and central Iowa. Its services include information and assistance, options counseling, case management, congregate and home-delivered meals, nutrition counseling, falls prevention classes, family caregiver support (support groups, training and help finding respite care), help for grandparents and older relatives age 55 and up who are raising a child, elder abuse prevention, legal assistance on elder rights issues, and Medicare help. Meals can have a wait list. Elderbridge has offices in Mason City, Fort Dodge, Carroll and Spencer. Call 800-243-0678.

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

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) makes a one-time payment to your heating company to help with winter heating costs, no matter what fuel you use. In Buena Vista County, Upper Des Moines Opportunity (UDMO) takes applications at its outreach office at 620 Michigan Street in Storm Lake; call 712-732-1757 for an appointment. Households with a member age 60 or older, a disabled member, or a crisis can apply starting October 1; everyone else can apply November 1 through April 30. Both homeowners and renters can qualify. Approved households are also protected from gas or electric shut-off during the winter moratorium, November 1 through April 1. Applying for LIHEAP also signs you up for weatherization.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) has a local office in Buena Vista County at 311 E. 5th Street in Storm Lake. It serves Buena Vista, Cherokee and Ida counties. Call 712-749-2536 (toll free 1-800-205-8893). Iowa HHS runs help programs such as SNAP food assistance (formerly food stamps), LIHEAP heating help, rent assistance and WIC.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake offers free or reduced-cost care to patients who fall below certain income and asset limits, using federal poverty guidelines. You must first use all other sources of help or coverage. Fill out, sign and date an Application for Financial Assistance and return it with all supporting papers within 30 days. Call the medical center at 712-732-4030 to ask for an application.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

RIDES (Regional Transit Authority) is the public transit system for Buena Vista County and eight other northwest Iowa counties. It offers door-to-door demand-response rides to the general public, including people with disabilities. In Buena Vista County, rides in Storm Lake run Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (general public fare $4.00). Trips outside city limits are billed by the mile. Call dispatch toll free at 800-358-5037, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; booking 24 hours ahead is recommended.

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

The Buena Vista County Veterans Affairs office is at 605 Cayuga St. in Storm Lake. The office helps veterans and their dependents find out which county, state and federal veterans' benefits they qualify for, fills out forms, and gives referrals and follow-up, free of charge. Its service officers are nationally accredited. Call 712-749-2562.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year