Senior benefits in Carroll County, Iowa

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Carroll 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) helps homeowners and renters pay part of their heating bills during the winter with a one-time payment. Help is based on household income, household size, fuel type and housing type, and income must be at or below 200% of poverty. The regular application period is November 1 through April 30; households with elderly or disabled members can apply starting October 1. Funding is limited, so apply early. In Carroll County, apply through the New Opportunities outreach office at 23751 Highway 30 in Carroll. Call 712-792-9266 ext. 1642.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) has a local office in Carroll County at 608 N. Court Street, Suite C in Carroll. It serves Audubon, Carroll, Greene, Guthrie and Sac counties. Call 712-792-4391. 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

St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll offers financial assistance through its St. Anthony CARES Program when other resources are not available. No patient is denied medical care because of inability to pay. Call 712-794-5507 for information about the CARES Program and the application packet.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Western Iowa Transit (WIT), run by Region XII Council of Governments, offers door-to-door rides in Carroll County and the rest of its six-county area. Service is open to the general public, including people with disabilities, and is well suited to seniors. Schedule rides with the Carroll office at 712-792-9914 at least 24 hours ahead. Service runs Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. In-town rides are $8.00 one way and $16.00 round trip, with $8.00 for each added stop; out-of-town trips are quoted at $2.00 per mile. Riders using Medicaid should call the number on their insurance card to arrange a ride.

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

The Carroll County Veterans Affairs office is at 608 N. Court St., Suite A in Carroll, in the lower level of the Paul S. Fricke Building (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). The office helps with federal and state veterans' benefits. Carroll County also offers temporary county help to qualifying veterans in need and their families, including rent, utilities, rides for medical care, medications and burial costs. Bring a copy of your DD214 discharge papers on your first visit. Call 712-792-1234.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year