Senior benefits in Scott County, Iowa

Milestones Area Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Scott 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) can help pay part of your winter heating costs if you meet income guidelines. In Scott County, Community Action of Eastern Iowa takes LIHEAP applications. Starting October 1, households with someone 60 or older, someone living with a disability, a disconnection notice, power turned off, or a furnace not working properly may apply; the general public can apply from November 1 through April 30. You can apply by mail, by phone, online (from November 1), or in person at the Davenport office at 500 E. 59th Street, Davenport. Call 563-324-3236.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 a year

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has offices for Scott County at 600 W 4th Street, Davenport: the 2nd floor (phone 563-326-8680) and the 3rd floor (phone 563-326-8794). 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

MercyOne Genesis Medical Center in Davenport offers financial assistance based on income. If you earn 200% or less of the Federal Poverty Level, you can get a full discount on medically necessary care; between 201% and 400%, you may get a partial discount. Patients who face very high medical bills (over 20% of household income in the past 12 months) may also get discounts. Interest-free short-term payment plans are offered. Financial counselors can help you apply and check if you qualify for Medicaid. Call Patient Financial Services at 563-421-2233.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

River Bend Transit is the regional public transit system for Scott County. It gives weekday door-to-door rides to rural residents, including older adults and people with disabilities, in fully ADA-accessible vehicles. In Scott County, service includes daily service between Bettendorf and Davenport, plus set days from rural Scott County towns to Davenport and a Monday trip to Iowa City. Seniors (60+) and people with disabilities pay a suggested round-trip donation: Iowa City $12.00, rural in-town $1.50, within Bettendorf/Davenport $3.00 and county service $3.00. The general public pays an established fare that is $5.00 more. Veterans ride free. Call 563-386-1350 or toll-free 800-292-8959 for reservations. In Davenport, CitiBus runs city bus routes (call 563-888-2151).

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

The Scott County Commission of Veteran Affairs, at the Administrative Center, 600 W. 4th Street, Davenport, has two programs for veterans and their families: County Veteran Assistance and Federal Veteran Services. County Veteran Assistance helps veterans with emergency basic needs such as shelter, utilities and burial. To qualify, you must be an adult resident of Scott County for at least 30 days, meet income guidelines, apply for other benefits, register for work (unless disabled) and have emergency needs that cannot be met another way. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 563-326-8723 or submit an online request.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year