Senior benefits in Lake County, Michigan
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Seniors living in Lake County, Michigan have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, home energy costs, transportation, and more. The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults to Older Americans Act Services covering meals, in-home help, and other support. The Lake County Council on Aging offers Dial-A-Ride transportation for seniors and people with disabilities who need a ride to appointments or errands. If heating bills are a concern, emPower — TrueNorth Heat and Energy Assistance Program provides local energy help, and Corewell Health Reed City Hospital offers financial assistance for medical costs. State programs like the Michigan Home Heating Credit, MI Choice Waiver, Michigan Medicaid, and MMAP Medicare counseling may also apply. Veterans in the county may qualify for additional state programs. Dozens of federal programs are available here as well. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified — the program's agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
4
Local programs
17
Michigan programs
25
Federal programs
19
Categories
Last verified · October 12, 2026
Local starting point
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
1-888-456-5664
See which of these Lake County programs you may qualify for.
Discover my benefitsHelping others? Print the Lake 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 Lake County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Lake County. Start here.
Elder Services in Lake County
Programs here typically provide services worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan — Older Americans Act Services (Lake County)
County · MichiganThe Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is the Area Agency on Aging for Lake County. 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 1-888-456-5664 to ask what help is available.
Estimated service value: $1,500–$6,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Lake County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,500 a year.
emPower Heat & Energy Assistance (TrueNorth / MEAP) — Lake County
County · MichiganemPower, run by TrueNorth Community Services, is a Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) grantee serving Lake County. It helps low-income households with heating and electric bills, deliverable fuels, shutoff protection, and self-sufficiency planning. Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call emPower at 231-355-5880.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,500 a year
Healthcare in Lake County
Corewell Health Financial Assistance — Corewell Health Reed City Hospital (serving Lake County)
County · MichiganLake County has no hospital of its own; the nearest is Corewell Health Reed City Hospital in neighboring Osceola County. Corewell Health offers financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care. Patients with household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level may receive free care, with sliding-scale discounts up to 400%. Apply within 240 days of the first bill by calling 1-877-687-7309.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Lake County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.
Lake County Council on Aging & Yates Dial-A-Ride — Senior & Disabled Transportation (Lake County)
County · MichiganLake County seniors and people with disabilities have two ride options. The Lake County Council on Aging provides medical transportation to doctor appointments inside and outside the county for adults age 60 and over. Inside the county, Yates Dial-A-Ride offers curb-to-curb rides, with priority given to people with disabilities. Call the Council on Aging at 231-745-3843, or the Lake County dial-a-ride call center at 1-800-201-6446 to book a ride.
Estimated service value: $200–$1,200 a year
In this county: Council on Aging medical rides serve adults 60 and over; Yates Dial-A-Ride is open to the public with people with disabilities given priority. Reserve ahead. Not legal or financial advice.
Local agencies serving Lake 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.
Corewell Health (Corewell Health Reed City Hospital)
Lake County Council on Aging
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Michigan and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Lake 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.