Senior benefits in Hamilton County, Iowa

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, Upper Des Moines Opportunity (UDMO) takes applications at its outreach office at 1610 Collins Street, Suite 4 in Webster City; call 515-832-6451 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 Hamilton County at 1610 Collins St in Webster City. It serves Hamilton County. Call 515-832-9555. 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

Van Diest Medical Center in Webster City gives financial assistance for emergency and other medically necessary care to people who meet its policy, using a sliding fee scale based on family size and income. Under its information sheet, income at or below 125% of poverty gets a 100% write-off, with smaller discounts up to 225%. Call the Patient Accounts financial counselor at 515-832-7715.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

MIDAS Council of Governments runs the regional public transit system for Hamilton County and five nearby counties. It is a demand-response service open to the general public, including people with disabilities, and all vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Call dispatch at 515-573-8145 the day before your trip; rides run Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. With at least a day's notice, the fare is $2.50 each way for adults and $2.00 for students and seniors (with an approved senior sheet); same-day rides, when the schedule allows, are $3.50 and $3.00.

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

The Hamilton County Veterans Affairs office is at 1610 Collins Street in Webster City (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by appointment). The office gives emergency help to qualifying veterans with money hardships, under Iowa Code chapter 250. It also helps veterans and their dependents apply for VA medical care, compensation, pensions, Aid and Attendance, the Iowa Veterans Home and nursing home care, military records, burial and education benefits. Call 515-832-9595.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year