Senior benefits in Greeley County, Kansas

The Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA) serves older Kansans and people with disabilities in Greeley 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 Greeley County names local senior centers such as Melven O. Kuder Senior Center in Tribune. 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

Greeley County is in the Southwest Region of the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). Service centers in DCF's Southwest Region include Dodge City, Garden City, Great Bend and Liberal. 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

Greeley County Health Services in Tribune has a financial assistance program for people who cannot pay for care. You may get help if you have no insurance, are underinsured, or if paying the full bill would be a financial hardship. Help is based on a sliding scale of household income using the federal poverty level: households between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may get discounted rates. You can download the policy and application from the hospital's website, visit the Patient Financial Assistance Coordinator at 506 3rd Street in Tribune, or call 620-376-4221 ext. 624.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging lists Greeley County Hospital (long-term care unit) in Tribune as a local transportation provider for Greeley County. Call 620-376-4221 to ask about rides for older adults, how to schedule a trip, and any fare. Rides may need to be booked ahead, and service hours are set by the provider.

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