Senior benefits in Harrison County, Iowa

Connections Area Agency on Aging serves older adults and family caregivers in 20 counties in southwest and western Iowa, including Harrison County. Its Information and Assistance specialists and Options Counselors help people find and apply for benefits such as Medicare Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, SNAP food help and LIHEAP energy help. Other services include case management for people age 60 or older who need help with at least two daily activities (such as bathing or dressing) so they can stay at home, senior center meals and home-delivered meals for people 60 and older, caregiver support and respite options, free Medicare counseling through SHIIP, and Solution Options for Seniors (S.O.S.), which helps pay for home repairs or changes for people 60 and older who own their home or live with a caregiver. Call toll free 1-800-432-9209. The Council Bluffs office (231 S. Main St.) and Sioux City office (2301 Pierce St.) take walk-ins Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the Creston office (109 N. Elm St.) is by appointment.

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

In Harrison County, West Central Community Action (WCCA) takes applications for LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP helps qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay part of their main heating costs for the winter heating season. The amount is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and type of housing. Applications open November 1 and end April 30. Contact the WCCA Harrison County Outreach Office at 107 N. 4th Ave, Suite 7, Logan (phone 712-644-3388). The Logan office is open Monday and Thursday. Outreach offices also offer energy crisis help.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lists an office for Harrison County at 204 E 6th St, Logan. Phone: 712-644-2460 or toll free 800-326-7732. This office also serves Monona and Shelby counties. Iowa HHS says you can apply for SNAP food benefits and for Medicaid health coverage, including Medicaid for older adults and people with disabilities, at your local HHS office. You can also apply online through the Iowa HHS Benefits Portal, or apply for Medicaid by phone at 1-855-889-7985.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

CHI Health Missouri Valley is the hospital in Missouri Valley. CHI Health's Financial Assistance Policy helps uninsured and underinsured patients who need emergency, urgent or medically necessary care and whose household income and/or financial resources are at or below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. To apply, fill out a Financial Assistance Application, which asks about household income and expenses; applications are online in many languages. CHI Health can also set up a payment plan. For questions, call CHI Health at (866) 881-0293 (Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) is the public transportation system for all residents of Harrison County and seven other southwest Iowa counties. On-demand rides are available Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. (not on holidays), and all vehicles are handicapped accessible. SWITA taxi service runs in Missouri Valley (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday). In-town taxi rides cost $3.00 one way for the general public, or $2.50 for riders 60 and older with a Connections Area Agency on Aging form. Medical transportation costs $35 per hour. Call 1-800-842-8065 to schedule a ride.

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

The Harrison County Commission of Veteran Affairs is the county veterans office. The Harrison County Veteran Affairs director helps veterans and their widows, widowers, spouses and minor children with VA pensions, compensation, medical care, nursing care, aid and attendance, home loans, education and burial benefits. Veterans must have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. Visit the office at 116 N 2nd Ave., Logan (Monday to Thursday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (appointments strongly recommended)), or call 712-644-2760.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year