Senior benefits in Kossuth County, Iowa

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Kossuth 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) helps pay part of your winter heating costs with a one-time payment to your heating or fuel company. Extra help may be available to repair or replace a furnace, or for an air conditioner for medical reasons. Income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. People age 60 and over or with a disability can apply October 1 through April 30; all other households can apply November 1 through April 30. In Kossuth County, North Iowa Community Action (NICAO) takes applications at its outreach office at 117 East Call St in Algona; call 515-295-2531 or toll free 800-873-1899.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona has a Financial Assistance Program that offers free or discounted care to patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise unable to pay for medically necessary services. Eligibility is based on household income and size and available assets. Households earning less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level can get a 100% discount, and households between 200% and 400% can get a 73% discount. Call Patient Financial Services at 515-295-4650, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Region 2 Transit, run by the North Iowa Area Council of Governments (NIACOG), gives rides to the general public, including people with disabilities, in Kossuth County and the rest of north central Iowa. Call 515-320-4005 to schedule a ride (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). Fares for elderly, disabled and student riders are $1.00 for city service, $2.00 for travel within a county, and $3.00 between counties in Region 2 (general public fares are higher). Rides to medical appointments may be covered by health insurance or Medicaid.

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

The Kossuth County Veterans Affairs office is at the Courthouse Annex, 109 West State Street in Algona (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). The office helps county veterans and their dependents apply for VA health care, disability compensation (including appeals), pensions, survivor benefits, Aid and Attendance, burial benefits, home loans, education, and the Iowa Veterans Home, and helps arrange rides to VA facilities. Call 515-295-9036.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year