Senior benefits in Keokuk County, Iowa

Milestones Area Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Keokuk 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 pay part of your winter heating costs if you meet income guidelines. In Keokuk County, Sieda Community Action takes LIHEAP applications. Households with a member over age 60 or a disabled member can apply starting October 1; all others can apply starting November 1, and applications end on the last working day of April. If you are found eligible, your heating and electric service is protected from shut-off through April 1. Crisis help for utility bills is available all year. Call or visit the Sieda Neighborhood Resource Center at 114 West Washington, Sigourney, phone 641-622-3443.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lists an office for Keokuk County at 1303 S 200th Ave, Sigourney. This office is by appointment only and is served by the Mahaska County office in Oskaloosa. For food and Medicaid applications (income maintenance), call 641-682-8793; for social services, call 641-673-3496. 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

10-15 Transit is the public transit system for Keokuk County and nine other southern Iowa counties. Rides are open to anyone, including people with disabilities, for nearly any purpose, such as grocery shopping, medical and dental visits, meal sites, work or personal business. Demand-response rides run about 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. based on driver availability. Fares are $2 within city limits, $4 in the county, and $25 county to county. Call 641-683-2024 or toll-free 800-227-6390 to set up a ride.

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

Keokuk County Veterans Affairs, at the courthouse at 101 S. Main, Sigourney, helps honorably discharged veterans find out if they qualify for county, state and federal veterans benefits. Veterans Emergency Assistance helps honorably discharged Keokuk County wartime veterans, and widows or minor children of wartime veterans, who cannot meet basic needs because of an emergency: shelter or rent, food vouchers, utilities, burial help and medical equipment. Income guidelines apply. Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon. Call 641-622-2761.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year