Senior benefits in Ottawa County, Michigan

Senior Resources of West Michigan is the Area Agency on Aging for Ottawa 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 1-800-442-0054 to ask what help is available.

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

The Ottawa County Community Action Agency (OCCAA) helps low-income households with heat, electric, water, and deliverable-fuel bills, whether to stop a shutoff or restore service. Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, choose OCCAA as your referral partner, dial 211 for local help, or call OCCAA at 616-393-4433.

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

In this county: Energy assistance is income-based and subject to available funds. State help (LIHEAP/State Emergency Relief) is applied for through MI Bridges, listing OCCAA as the referral partner. The agency makes the final determination. Not legal or financial advice.

Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital serves Ottawa County and 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%. Holland Hospital and Trinity Health Grand Haven also serve parts of the county. Call 1-877-687-7309 to apply, within 240 days of the first bill.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In-home primary medical care for Medicare-enrolled adults 60 and older, or adults 18-64 with a disability, who have two or more chronic conditions and are homebound or home-limited. A nurse practitioner provides home and telehealth visits, care planning, chronic disease management, medication reviews with a pharmacist, remote monitoring, social work assessments, and mobile diagnostic tests. Call 231-737-4041 to get started.

In this county: You must be enrolled in Medicare, have at least two chronic health conditions lasting a year or more, and be homebound or home-limited (barriers that make leaving home difficult). The program's Medical Supports Coordinator confirms these at intake.

Veteran Directed Care lets eligible veterans direct their own long-term services and supports, with more flexibility, choice and control over their care. After the VA refers a veteran, Senior Resources' care managers work with the veteran and their caregivers to build an individualized care plan and coordinate the supports that keep the veteran independent at home. Start by asking your VA care team for a VDC referral; Senior Resources Options Counselors can explain the program at (231) 733-3585 or 1 (800) 442-0054.

In this county: Senior Resources provides the care management only after the VA refers the veteran into Veteran Directed Care — the VA decides eligibility. You must be enrolled in VA health care and live in Muskegon, Oceana or Ottawa County.

Macatawa Area Express (MAX) serves the Holland and Zeeland area of Ottawa County with fixed-route buses and Reserve-A-MAX curb-to-curb paratransit. Riders age 65 and over and people with disabilities pay a reduced fare. Harbor Transit serves the Grand Haven and Spring Lake area, and Ottawa County dial-a-ride covers other parts of the county. Call MAX at 616-355-1010 to ride or to apply for paratransit.

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

In this county: Reduced fares and paratransit rules are set by each operator and can change. The right operator depends on where in Ottawa County the trip starts (MAX for Holland/Zeeland, Harbor Transit for Grand Haven/Spring Lake). Not legal or financial advice.