Senior benefits in Wayne County, Michigan

Wayne County is served by two Area Agencies on Aging. People who live in the City of Detroit (and a few enclave cities) are served by the Detroit Area Agency on Aging; call 313-446-4444. People in the rest of Wayne County are served by The Senior Alliance (Region 1-C); call 734-722-2830. Both agencies offer home-delivered and congregate meals, in-home and personal care, caregiver support, Medicare and 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 to ask what help is available.

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

In this county: Specific services depend on need and on functional/financial assessment. Which agency serves you depends on whether you live in the City of Detroit (Detroit Area Agency on Aging, 313-446-4444) or the rest of Wayne County (The Senior Alliance, 734-722-2830). The agency makes the final determination. Not legal or financial advice.

Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency (Wayne Metro) is the designated Community Action Agency for energy assistance across Wayne County, including Detroit. Wayne Metro helps with electric, natural gas, deliverable-fuel, and water bills, plus shutoff protection and reconnection. Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call Wayne Metro at 313-388-9799. THAW (thawfund.org) is a statewide partner for heat and utility crises.

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

Henry Ford Health hospitals in Wayne County (including Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit) offer financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care. Michigan residents with household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level can receive a 100% charity write-off on the patient-responsible balance, with sliding-scale discounts for income up to 400%. Apply by completing a Patient Financial Assistance Application or call 313-874-7800. Other safety-net systems serve Wayne County too, including Detroit Medical Center (dmc.org) and Corewell Health East (corewellhealth.org).

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Free care (100% write-off) for household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level; sliding-scale discounts up to 400% FPL. Apply within 240 days of the first billing statement. The hospital makes the final determination. Not legal or financial advice.

Two systems serve Wayne County. SMART runs fixed-route buses, Connector small-bus service, and ADA paratransit across suburban and out-county Wayne; riders age 65 and over, people with disabilities, and Medicare card holders ride fixed routes for half fare and can use door-to-door paratransit. Inside the City of Detroit, DDOT offers the same reduced fare for seniors 65+, riders with disabilities, and Medicare card holders. Apply for a SMART reduced-fare or paratransit ID at smartbus.org, or a DDOT Reduced Fare Card through the City of Detroit.

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

In this county: Half fare requires a reduced-fare ID. Paratransit requires advance reservation and, for ADA service, eligibility certification. The right system depends on where you live and travel: SMART for suburban/out-county Wayne, DDOT inside the City of Detroit. Fares and rules are set by each operator and can change. Not legal or financial advice.