Senior benefits in Worth County, Iowa

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Worth 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 Worth County, North Iowa Community Action (NICAO) serves Worth County; call toll free 800-873-1899 to apply or to find the nearest outreach office.

Estimated bill savings: $80–$800 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 Worth County and the rest of north central Iowa. Call 641-324-1741 to schedule a ride (7:30 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 Worth County Veterans Affairs office is at the Public Health Building, 99B 9th St. North in Northwood (Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; call ahead). The office helps Worth County veterans with VA disability compensation, VA health care enrollment, pensions, burial benefits, vocational rehabilitation, discharge upgrades, military records and Iowa Veterans Trust Fund applications. Call 641-324-0480.

Estimated cash: about $0 a year