Senior benefits in Alger County, Michigan

UPCAP Services runs the U.P. Area Agency on Aging (Region 11), the Area Agency on Aging for Alger County and all 15 Upper Peninsula counties. Help includes home-delivered and congregate meals, in-home and personal care, caregiver support, Medicare/Medicaid counseling (MMAP), long-term care options counseling, and help applying for the MI Choice waiver. Older adults age 60 and over, and adults with disabilities, can call the U.P. Senior Helpline at 1-800-338-7227 to ask what help is available.

Estimated service value: $1,500–$6,000 a year

The Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency is the Community Action Agency for the Eastern Upper Peninsula and helps low-income Alger County households with heating and electric bills, emergency utility shutoff help, deliverable fuels, and weatherization. Apply for state energy help (Home Heating Credit / State Emergency Relief) through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call the agency at 906-632-3363.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,500 a year

Munising Memorial Hospital in Munising serves Alger County and provides emergency and medically necessary care regardless of ability to pay. It offers free or reduced-cost care to patients who are uninsured, underinsured, ineligible for a government program, or otherwise unable to pay, using a sliding fee scale. Submit a Financial Assistance Application within 90 days of service; call 906-387-4110 for help.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Free or reduced-cost care is offered to uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise unable-to-pay patients using a sliding fee scale. Applications are encouraged within 90 days of service or discharge. The hospital makes the final determination. Not legal or financial advice.

U.P. Food as Medicine gives Alger County adults who are at risk for or living with a chronic health condition vouchers to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at participating Upper Peninsula farm markets. Each voucher is worth $5, and participants get $15 a week during the 20-week market season — about $300 a season, mailed monthly. A doctor or clinic in the program's partner network sends the referral; a call specialist then completes enrollment. Ask your health-care provider for a referral, or dial 2-1-1.

Estimated service value: about $300 a year

ALTRAN, the Alger County Transit Authority, runs dial-a-ride bus service across Alger County from Munising plus a regional route to Marquette. Seniors age 65 and over ride for half fare on the regional service, and seniors and people with disabilities get half fare on all rides pre-scheduled with dispatch. Call 906-387-4845 to schedule a ride (48-hour notice in outlying areas).

Estimated service value: $200–$1,200 a year

In this county: Dial-a-ride is open to the public; seniors (65+) and people with disabilities receive half fare on pre-scheduled rides. Outlying areas need 48-hour notice. Not legal or financial advice.