Senior benefits in O'Brien County, Iowa

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for O'Brien 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) makes a one-time payment to your heating company to help with winter heating costs, no matter what fuel you use. In O'Brien County, Upper Des Moines Opportunity (UDMO) takes applications at its outreach office at 140 2nd Street SE in Primghar; call 712-957-1023 for an appointment. Households with a member age 60 or older, a disabled member, or a crisis can apply starting October 1; everyone else can apply November 1 through April 30. Both homeowners and renters can qualify. Approved households are also protected from gas or electric shut-off during the winter moratorium, November 1 through April 1. Applying for LIHEAP also signs you up for weatherization.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) has a local office in O'Brien County at 160 Second Street SE in Primghar. It serves O'Brien County. This office provides social services; income maintenance (benefit applications) for O'Brien County is handled by the Clay County office at 712-262-3586 or 866-536-2749. Call 712-957-5135 (toll free 1-800-392-3895). Iowa HHS runs help programs such as SNAP food assistance (formerly food stamps), LIHEAP heating help, rent assistance and WIC.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Sanford Sheldon Medical Center is part of Sanford Health, which offers financial assistance for emergency and other medically necessary care. To qualify, household income must be at or below 375% of the federal poverty level; family size and income decide eligibility, and assets may be considered. Apply through the Sanford online patient portal or call Sanford Patient Financial Services at 877-629-2999. A decision comes within 30 days.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

RIDES (Regional Transit Authority) is the public transit system for O'Brien County and eight other northwest Iowa counties. It offers door-to-door demand-response rides to the general public, including people with disabilities. In O'Brien County, rides in Sheldon run Monday through Friday starting at 7:30 a.m. (general public fare $3.00). Trips outside city limits are billed by the mile. Call dispatch toll free at 800-358-5037, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; booking 24 hours ahead is recommended.

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

The O'Brien County Veterans Affairs office is at the O'Brien County Courthouse, 155 S. Hayes Avenue in Primghar (call for an appointment). The county veteran service officer helps veterans with benefits. County veterans can also ride a DAV van to the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center for scheduled appointments; reserve a seat well ahead. Call 712-957-0031.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year