Senior benefits in Ringgold County, Iowa

Connections Area Agency on Aging serves older adults and family caregivers in 20 counties in southwest and western Iowa, including Ringgold County. Its Information and Assistance specialists and Options Counselors help people find and apply for benefits such as Medicare Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, SNAP food help and LIHEAP energy help. Other services include case management for people age 60 or older who need help with at least two daily activities (such as bathing or dressing) so they can stay at home, senior center meals and home-delivered meals for people 60 and older, caregiver support and respite options, free Medicare counseling through SHIIP, and Solution Options for Seniors (S.O.S.), which helps pay for home repairs or changes for people 60 and older who own their home or live with a caregiver. Call toll free 1-800-432-9209. The Council Bluffs office (231 S. Main St.) and Sioux City office (2301 Pierce St.) take walk-ins Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the Creston office (109 N. Elm St.) is by appointment.

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

In Ringgold County, MATURA Action Corporation takes applications for LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP is a one-time payment that helps households at or below 200% of poverty pay part of their winter heating costs. You do not need to be behind on your heating bill to apply. For the 2026-2027 heating season, households with someone age 60 or older, people with disabilities, or households in crisis can apply from October 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027; all other households from November 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. Apply through the MATURA Ringgold County Outreach Center at 306 S. Garfield Street, Mount Ayr (phone 641-464-2401), or online at liheap-apply.hhs.iowa.gov starting November 1. If you have a disconnect notice, have 30% or less left in your fuel tank, or your furnace does not make heat, call the outreach office right away; crisis help can include furnace repair or replacement, emergency propane delivery, and reconnection of gas or electric service. LIHEAP households can also be considered for free weatherization.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr does not deny anyone services because they cannot pay, and it has a discounted, sliding fee schedule based on family size and income. An income guidelines table and the Application for Financial Assistance are on the hospital's billing page. To find out what help may be available, call a patient accounts representative at (641) 464-4459 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or email medicalbills@rchmtayr.org.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Southern Iowa Trolley is the regional public transit system for Ringgold County and six other south-central Iowa counties. It gives door-to-door weekday rides to the general public, including people with disabilities, and every vehicle is ADA accessible. In Ringgold County, in-town rides are offered in Mt. Ayr. Main in-town service runs Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. (days and hours can change with driver availability). Seniors age 60 and older pay $3.00 per in-town ride (or $30.00 for a 12-ride ticket), and in-town rides on Fridays are $1.00. Before riding, seniors must fill out a Connections Area Agency on Aging intake form, which you can get from the driver or the office at 301 Industrial Parkway in Creston. Out-of-town trips start at $10.00 one way. To schedule a ride, call 641-782-6571 or toll free 866-782-6571.

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

The Ringgold County Commission of Veteran Affairs is the county veterans office. The Ringgold County Commission for Veterans Affairs has a certified director who helps veterans with federal claims such as disability compensation and pension. Its Veterans Emergency Assistance helps honorably discharged Ringgold County wartime veterans who cannot meet basic needs because of an emergency, with shelter or rent, food vouchers, utilities, burial and medical equipment. You must have a DD-214 showing wartime service (or qualifying Reserve or Guard service), live in Ringgold County, and meet income guidelines. Visit the office at 109 W. Madison St., Mount Ayr, or call 641-464-2397.

Estimated cash: $200–$1,500 a year