Senior benefits in Dickinson County, Iowa

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Dickinson 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 Dickinson County, Upper Des Moines Opportunity (UDMO) takes applications at its outreach office at 1575 18th Street in Spirit Lake; call 712-336-1112 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 Dickinson County at 1802 Hill Ave, Suite 2401 in Spirit Lake. It serves Dickinson, Kossuth and Palo Alto counties. Call 712-336-2555. 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

Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake offers financial assistance. Complete the Lakes Regional Healthcare Financial Assistance Application; the policy and summary are on its website. For help with the application, call the financial counselor at 712-336-8742.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

RIDES (Regional Transit Authority) is the public transit system for Dickinson County and eight other northwest Iowa counties. It offers door-to-door demand-response rides to the general public, including people with disabilities. In Dickinson County, Lakes Area rides run Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (general public fare $2.50 in Arnolds Park, Milford, Okoboji and Spirit Lake). 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 Dickinson County Veterans Affairs office is at 1802 Hill Ave, Suite 1508 in Spirit Lake. The county veteran service officer (CVSO) helps veterans and their families with VA and state veterans' benefits. Call 712-336-6333 (option 1).

Estimated cash: about $0 a year