Senior benefits in Johnson County, Iowa

Heritage Area Agency on Aging, in Cedar Rapids, is the Area Agency on Aging for Johnson County. Its services include information and referral, options counseling, case management, caregiver support, home-delivered meals for homebound adults 60 and older and their spouses, nutrition counseling, balance and fall-prevention classes, senior farmers market checks, and an elder rights program for abuse, neglect and exploitation. Meal sites in Johnson County: Encore Express, which gives meal vouchers for participating Hy-Vee stores (319-398-7682). Services are offered on a contribution basis to adults 60 and older and their caregivers. Call 319-398-5559 (toll free 800-332-5934).

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

LIHEAP (the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) gives a one-time payment toward winter heating bills for households with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Households with someone 60 or older or disabled can apply starting October 1; everyone else can apply starting November 1, and applications close April 30. In Johnson County, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) takes LIHEAP applications. HACAP's Waterfront Office is at 367 Southgate Ave in Iowa City. Call 319-337-5765. Applications for households with someone 60 or older or disabled cannot be done online; mail them to the local HACAP office. If you have a disconnect notice, are at 30% or less on deliverable fuel, or your furnace does not heat, contact the office right away.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lists an office for Johnson County at 855 S. Dubuque Street, Suite 102, Iowa City. Phone: 319-356-6050 or toll free 866-886-9207. 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

University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City offers financial assistance (charity care) based on income and the medical services you need. To qualify, you must be a documented Iowa resident with family income at or below 350% of the federal poverty guidelines (for 2026, $55,860 for one person or $75,740 for two). You must give proof of income and take part in the Medicaid application process with UI Health Care social workers. Apply with the Financial Assistance Application (English, French or Spanish) or through MyChart. UI Health Care also offers individual payment plans. To discuss financial assistance, call Patient Billing at 319-384-2196 (toll free 866-393-4605).

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Johnson County SEATS gives door-to-door rides to seniors, people with disabilities and others who find it hard to get around. In Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty and University Heights, SEATS is paratransit: riders must apply and be certified by the city where they live. All residents of rural Johnson County (outside those cities) can ride SEATS automatically, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. A one-way ride costs $2.00 for rural residents and for paratransit trips that begin or end in Coralville or North Liberty; trips that begin and end in Iowa City or University Heights are free for certified riders. Call 319-339-6125 to schedule a ride.

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

Johnson County Veteran Services, in the Johnson County Health & Human Services Building (855 S. Dubuque St., Suite B) in Iowa City, connects veterans and their dependents with federal and state benefits, such as disability compensation, wartime and survivor's pension with Aid and Attendance, DIC, VA health care, military records, discharge upgrades, education benefits, home loans, the Iowa Veterans Home, the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund and veterans property tax credits. Services are always free. Its Temporary Emergency Assistance program can pay rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, emergency medical needs and funeral costs for eligible veterans; household income for the last 30 days must be no more than 185% of the federal poverty guidelines, and there is a $7,500 lifetime maximum. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday; call 319-356-6049 for an appointment.

Estimated cash: $200–$1,500 a year