Senior benefits in Barber County, Kansas

The Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA) serves older Kansans and people with disabilities in Barber County and 27 other counties in southwest Kansas. Its services include case management, help paying for in-home care (such as personal care, homemaker, respite and chore services), information and assistance, free Medicare counseling (SHICK), caregiver support, and Friendship Meals at meal sites or delivered to people who are homebound. Friendship Meals are for people 60 and older and their spouses. SWKAAA also does the CARE assessment that everyone must have before entering a nursing home. SWKAAA's resource list for Barber County names local senior centers such as Leisure Time Center in Medicine Lodge and Kiowa Senior Center. Call the main office in Dodge City at 620-225-8230 (toll free 1-800-742-9531), Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

Barber County is in the Wichita Region of the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). The nearest DCF service center in the Wichita Region is in Pratt (Pratt County). Through DCF you can apply for SNAP Food Assistance, TANF Cash Assistance and LIEAP Energy Assistance. Applying online through the DCF Self-Service Portal is recommended. For a paper application, visit your local DCF office or call 1-888-369-4777. LIEAP helps pay winter heating costs and is open only during its yearly application period. KanCare health coverage is not handled by DCF; apply for it through the KanCare Self-Service Portal.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital has a Financial Assistance Program for emergency and medically necessary care. It uses a sliding scale based on household income and the number of people in the home. Your household income must be less than 200% of the federal poverty level to get a discount. Financial assistance is used after insurance, government programs and other sources. You can apply in person at admissions or patient financial services, by mail (Drawer C, 710 N. Walnut, Medicine Lodge), or by calling the financial counselor at 620-930-3773. You have at least 240 days from your first bill to apply. While your application is reviewed (up to 30 days), your account is put on hold from collections.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging lists two local transportation providers for Barber County. The Leisure Time Senior Center serves the City of Medicine Lodge; call 620-886-3466. The Kiowa Senior Center serves the City of Kiowa; call 620-825-4898. Call to ask about rides, how to schedule a trip, and any fare.

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