Senior benefits in Henry County, Iowa

Milestones Area Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Henry County and 16 other counties in southeast Iowa. It helps older Iowans live safely and on their own at home. Services include information and assistance, options counseling, case management, nutrition programs such as home-delivered meals and Milestones Community Cafés, caregiver support (including respite care information and support groups), health and wellness classes, elder abuse prevention, and free SHIIP Medicare counseling. Home-delivered meals are for people age 60 and older (and their spouse of any age) who live where the meals are offered. Call the toll-free line at 855-410-6222. Offices are in Davenport (4440 Brady St., 563-324-9085), Burlington (509 Jefferson Street, 319-752-5433) and Ottumwa (635 E. Pennsylvania Ave.).

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

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps Iowa homeowners and renters with low income pay part of their main heating costs for the winter. In Henry County, Community Action of Southeast Iowa takes LIHEAP applications. People age 60 and over or with a disability can call for an appointment starting the first business day of October; other households start in November. Applications are taken until April 30, and you can also apply online from November 1. If you have a disconnect notice, contact your local center right away. Call or visit the Tolson Community Action Center at 1303 W Washington, Mt. Pleasant, phone 319-385-2310.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has an office for Henry County at 205 W Madison Street, Mt. Pleasant. Phone: 319-986-5157. 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

Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant, part of Great River Health, does not deny anyone services because they cannot pay, and it has a discounted/sliding fee schedule based on family size and income. Insured and uninsured patients getting medically necessary or emergency care may qualify. Financial counselors help patients apply for the Financial Assistance Program, Presumptive Medicaid or a bank loan program. Return applications to Patient Financial Services, 407 S. White St., Mount Pleasant. Call 319-768-3625, option 2.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

SEIBUS (Southeast Iowa Bus) is the regional public transit system for Henry County, with door-to-door rides open to the general public, including people with disabilities. In Henry County, general public rides run Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Rides must be booked no later than 2:00 p.m. the day before. SEIBUS also runs a medical shuttle to Iowa City hospitals on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Fares are $3.00 one way in town, $9.00 town to town or county to county, and $20.00 one way on the medical shuttle; monthly passes cost $36.00 (in town) or $108.00 (county to county). Call the SEIBUS scheduler at 1-866-753-5107 and select option 1.

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

The Henry County Veterans Affairs office at 106 E Clay St., Mt. Pleasant, has a nationally certified County Veteran Service Officer who helps veterans, widows and dependents with veterans benefits. Henry County Veterans Affairs also offers General Assistance for qualified veterans who live in Henry County. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 319-385-0792.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year