Senior benefits in Ingham County, Michigan
Seniors in Ingham County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, housing costs, food, transportation, and more. The Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA) is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults to Older Americans Act Services covering meals, in-home help, and other supports. Capital Area Community Services (CACS) offers Home Heating and Energy Assistance for those struggling with utility bills, and the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) provides discounted fares and Spec-Tran paratransit for older adults who need a ride. Seniors who received care at Sparrow Hospital may also want to ask about UM Health-Sparrow Financial Assistance. At the state level, programs like MI Choice Waiver, MMAP Medicare counseling, Michigan Home Heating Credit, and Michigan Caregiver Support may apply. Federal programs add even more options. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, but the agency behind each program makes the final eligibility decision.
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Local programs
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Michigan programs
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Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · October 12, 2026
Local starting point
Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA)
1-800-405-9141
See which of these Ingham County programs you may qualify for.
Discover my benefitsHelping others? Print the Ingham County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Ingham County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Ingham County. Start here.
Elder Services in Ingham County
Programs here typically provide services worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Tri-County Office on Aging — Older Americans Act Services (Ingham County)
County · MichiganTri-County Office on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Ingham County, including Lansing and East Lansing. Services include 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 1-800-405-9141 to ask what help is available.
Estimated service value: $1,500–$6,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Ingham County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,500 a year.
Home Heating & Energy Assistance — Capital Area Community Services (Ingham County)
County · MichiganCapital Area Community Services, the Community Action Agency for Ingham County, helps income-eligible households with heat and electricity bills, shutoff protection, and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program. The first step is to apply for State Emergency Relief on MI Bridges; CACS staff can help. Apply through MI Bridges, dial 211 for referrals, or call the Lansing office at 517-393-7077.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,500 a year
Healthcare in Ingham County
UM Health-Sparrow Financial Assistance — Sparrow Hospital (Ingham County)
County · MichiganSparrow Hospital in Lansing offers financial assistance for medically necessary care to Ingham County residents who cannot afford to pay. Uninsured patients with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines may receive fully free care, with sliding-scale discounts up to 300% of the guidelines. Ask a financial counselor or call 517-364-6060 to apply.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Ingham County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$900 a year to an eligible household.
CATA — Discounted Fares and Spec-Tran Paratransit for Older Adults and Riders with Disabilities (Ingham County)
County · MichiganThe Capital Area Transportation Authority runs fixed-route buses across the Lansing and East Lansing area. Riders age 62 and over and people with a disability can get a free CATAClub card for a 60-cent fare, and Medicare card holders also ride at the discounted fare. Spec-Tran is CATA's ADA paratransit service for people unable to use the regular buses; riders must be ADA-certified, and each one-way ride is $2.50. Reserve a Spec-Tran ride by calling 517-394-CATA (517-394-2282), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., up to 14 days ahead.
Estimated service value: $150–$900 a year
In this county: Discounted fares require proof of age 62+, Medicare, or a qualifying disability; Spec-Tran requires an eligibility determination. Fares and service rules are set by CATA and can change. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Ingham County
Who runs the county programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.
Capital Area Community Services (CACS)
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow (Sparrow Hospital, Lansing)
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Ingham County and across the rest of Michigan. Full details are on the Michigan benefits page.
Money & income3 programs
Cash paid to you, and emergency help when money runs short.
Health & Medicare costs9 programs
Medicaid, Medicare savings, and help with drug and doctor bills.
- Medicare Savings Program (Michigan) — QMB / SLMB / QI
- Michigan Medicaid — Aged, Blind & Disabled (AD-Care)
- MI Coordinated Health (Medicare-Medicaid Integrated Plan, formerly MI Health Link)
- MMAP — Michigan's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Medicare Counseling)
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)
- Qualifying Individual (QI)
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Food6 programs
SNAP (food stamps), meals, and farmers market coupons.
- Senior Project FRESH / Market FRESH (Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program)
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food Box
- Congregate Meals at Senior Centers
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for Seniors
Home, bills & taxes9 programs
Help with heating and electric bills, rent, property taxes, and home repairs.
- Michigan Home Heating Credit
- State Emergency Relief — Energy & Heat (LIHEAP) + MEAP
- Michigan Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption (Full Homestead Exemption)
- Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit
- Federal Lifeline
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Care at home & long-term care7 programs
Help staying in your home, nursing home alternatives, and support for family caregivers.
- Home Help Program (Medicaid Personal Care)
- MI Choice Waiver Program (Home & Community-Based Services)
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (Michigan)
- Michigan Veteran Homes (State Long-Term Care)
- Michigan Caregiver Support (Family Caregiver Services)
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)
Help, advice & legal5 programs
Free counseling, legal help, rides, and other senior services.
Veterans3 programs
Benefits for veterans and their surviving spouses.
Nearby counties
Local programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.