Senior benefits in Emmet County, Iowa

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Emmet 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 Emmet County, Upper Des Moines Opportunity (UDMO) takes applications at its outreach office at 324 N 5th Street in Estherville; call 712-362-2391 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 Emmet County at 220 S 1st Street in Estherville. It serves Emmet County. Call 712-362-7237 (toll free 1-833-503-0575). 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

Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville is part of Avera, which has a financial assistance program for patients who qualify. Apply online in MyChart or by mail with the Avera Financial Assistance Application. For help, call the hospital at 712-362-2631 and ask for the business office.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

RIDES (Regional Transit Authority) is the public transit system for Emmet County and eight other northwest Iowa counties. It offers door-to-door demand-response rides to the general public, including people with disabilities. In Emmet County, rides in Estherville run Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (general public fare $2.50). 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 Emmet County Veterans Affairs office is at the Public Health building, 508 S. 1st St. in Estherville (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; appointments appreciated). The office gives free help getting military records and veterans' benefits. Emmet County also gives temporary help to qualifying veterans in need who live in the county and have an emergency; money help is limited to rent, utility and burial costs. The office also schedules the free DAV van to the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Call 712-362-7431.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year