Senior benefits in Wyandotte County, Kansas

The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging plans, funds and runs programs for older adults who live in Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties, including Wyandotte County. It is the single point of entry to aging services, with a focus on helping older adults keep living in their own homes. Programs include supports for aging at home, nutrition (meals), caregiver support, in-home services, dementia care, case management, fitness, Medicare assistance, and help with long-term care and rehabilitation. The office is at the Midtown Metro Center, 849-C North 47th St, Kansas City, Kansas, open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 913-573-8531.

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

Kansas DCF (the Department for Children and Families) has a service center in Wyandotte County, in Kansas City at 402 State Ave., Kansas City, KS 66101. Phone: 913-279-7000. DCF runs Food Assistance (SNAP), cash assistance and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). LIEAP pays part of winter home heating costs once a year for households with gross income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. You can apply online through the DCF Self-Service Portal, or call DCF Benefits Assistance at 1-888-369-4777 for food, cash and child care assistance. LIEAP is open only during its winter application period; during that time you can apply online or ask your local DCF Service Center for a paper application.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The University of Kansas Health System, whose main hospital is in Kansas City, Kansas, has a financial assistance program for patients with or without insurance whose gross family income is up to 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, and within asset limits. It also helps patients whose medical bills owe the health system 50% or more of their gross family income. You must not qualify for other government assistance, and staff will help you apply for Medicaid and other programs. Patients with very high medical bills may qualify for catastrophic care assistance. To apply, download the application and mail it with the listed documents, start in your MyChart account (Billing, then Financial Assistance), or call the financial counseling team at 913-588-7850.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

RideKC Freedom is a paratransit service run by Unified Government Transit for trips within Wyandotte County. ADA paratransit gives door-to-door rides to people whose disability keeps them from using regular buses. Non-ADA paratransit is for adults 65 or older who need help getting to places like medical appointments, grocery stores or community centers. Both need an application and approval first; you can apply online and must send a photo with the application. Service runs Monday to Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. On regional RideKC buses, adults 65 and older, Medicare cardholders and people with disabilities may get free or reduced fares ($1 a ride or $2 a day) after applying to the regional free and reduced fare program. Call 913-573-8351.

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