Senior benefits in Louisa County, Iowa

Milestones Area Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Louisa 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 Louisa 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 Community Action Center of Louisa County at 202 E Access Street, Suite D, Columbus Junction, phone 319-728-2314.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lists an office for Louisa County at 12635 County Road G56, Wapello. This office is by appointment only and is served by the Muscatine County office. Phone: 563-263-9302 or toll free 877-272-0614. 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

SEIBUS (Southeast Iowa Bus) is the regional public transit system for Louisa County, with door-to-door rides open to the general public, including people with disabilities. In Louisa 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 Louisa County Veterans Service Office at 503 Franklin Street, Suite 2, Wapello, helps veterans and their eligible surviving spouses apply for county, state and federal benefits. Veterans must have been discharged under honorable conditions and served 90 days in a row of active federal service. Under Chapter 35B of the Code of Iowa, the county can give temporary benefits to veterans in need and their widows, wives and minor children; apply in person. Open Monday to Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or by appointment. Call 319-527-6513.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year