DiscoverSeniorBenefits

Senior benefits in Crow Wing County, Minnesota

Seniors in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, housing costs, food, energy bills, and more. The Central Minnesota Council on Aging is the local Area Agency on Aging and a strong starting point for finding services that fit your situation. Lutheran Social Services of MN can help with Energy Assistance Program intake for those struggling with heating and utility costs. If you need help with medical bills, Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd offers a financial assistance program. Getting around is easier through Brainerd and Crow Wing Public Transit, which provides public and dial-a-ride options. State programs here include Medical Assistance, Medicare Savings Programs, the Elderly Waiver, Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral, and more. Dozens of federal programs also apply in this county. Every listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, but the administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.

4

Local programs

11

Minnesota programs

25

Federal programs

15

Categories

Last verified · October 12, 2026

Local starting point

Central Minnesota Council on Aging

1-320-253-9349

See which of these Crow Wing County programs you may qualify for.

Discover my benefits

Helping others? Print the Crow Wing 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.

Benefit changes →

Programs run in Crow Wing County

Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Crow Wing County. Start here.

Elder Services in Crow Wing County

Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.

Area Agency on Aging services (Central Minnesota Council on Aging) — Crow Wing

County · Minnesota

Central Minnesota Council on Aging is the Minnesota Board on Aging's designated Area Agency on Aging for Crow Wing County. It administers Older Americans Act services for adults 60 and over and family caregivers — benefits counseling, caregiver support, home-delivered and congregate meals, chore and homemaker help, and local aging services. Call 320-253-9349 or Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly the Senior LinkAge Line) at 800-333-2433 to get connected.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

How to apply →Official source →1-320-253-9349Last verified · October 6, 2026

Energy Assistance in Crow Wing County

Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,400 a year.

Energy Assistance Program intake (Lutheran Social Services of MN) — Crow Wing

County · Minnesota

Lutheran Social Services of MN takes Minnesota Energy Assistance Program applications for Crow Wing County residents — help paying heating bills, crisis help, and emergency furnace repair. Household income must be at or below 50% of the state median income (see the statewide Energy Assistance record for details). The heating season program runs October 1 through May 31. Call 218-829-5000 to apply through the local provider.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,400 a year

How to apply →Official source →1-218-829-5000Last verified · October 11, 2026

Healthcare in Crow Wing County

Hospital Financial Assistance (Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center (Brainerd)) — Crow Wing

County · Minnesota

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Crow Wing County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center (Brainerd) for emergency and medically necessary care. Free or discounted care is based on household income and size under the hospital's financial assistance policy.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

How to apply →Official source →1-800-985-4675Last verified · October 10, 2026

Transportation in Crow Wing County

Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.

Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Brainerd and Crow Wing Public Transit) — Crow Wing

County · Minnesota

Brainerd and Crow Wing Public Transit provides public transit service for Crow Wing County riders under MnDOT's Greater Minnesota / metro transit program — typically dial-a-ride or deviated-route buses usable for medical appointments, shopping, and errands. Reduced fares for seniors and ADA paratransit vary by system. Call 218-825-7433 to schedule a ride or ask about senior fares.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year

How to apply →Official source →1-218-825-7433Last verified · October 9, 2026

Local agencies serving Crow Wing 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.

Minnesota and federal programs

Open to eligible households in Crow Wing County and across the rest of Minnesota. Full details are on the Minnesota benefits page.

Money & income2 programs

Cash paid to you, and emergency help when money runs short.

Health & Medicare costs7 programs

Medicaid, Medicare savings, and help with drug and doctor bills.

Food6 programs

SNAP (food stamps), meals, and farmers market coupons.

Home, bills & taxes9 programs

Help with heating and electric bills, rent, property taxes, and home repairs.

Care at home & long-term care4 programs

Help staying in your home, nursing home alternatives, and support for family caregivers.

Help, advice & legal4 programs

Free counseling, legal help, rides, and other senior services.

Veterans4 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.

← All Minnesota counties

Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.