Senior benefits in Pine County, Minnesota
Seniors in Pine County, Minnesota, and their families 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 connecting with services. Lakes & Pines Community Action Council provides local intake for the Energy Assistance Program, which can help with home heating costs. Arrowhead Transit offers Public and Dial-a-Ride Transit options for getting around the county, and Essentia Health Sandstone has a Hospital Financial Assistance program for those who qualify. At the state level, programs like Medical Assistance, the Elderly Waiver, Alternative Care, Medicare Savings Programs, and Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral may be available to eligible residents. Dozens of federal programs also apply here. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, but the sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
4
Local programs
11
Minnesota programs
25
Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · October 12, 2026
Local starting point
Central Minnesota Council on Aging
1-320-253-9349
See which of these Pine County programs you may qualify for.
Discover my benefitsHelping others? Print the Pine 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 Pine County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Pine County. Start here.
Elder Services in Pine 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) — Pine
County · MinnesotaCentral Minnesota Council on Aging is the Minnesota Board on Aging's designated Area Agency on Aging for Pine 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
Energy Assistance in Pine County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,400 a year.
Energy Assistance Program intake (Lakes & Pines Community Action Council) — Pine
County · MinnesotaLakes & Pines Community Action Council takes Minnesota Energy Assistance Program applications for Pine 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 320-679-1800 to apply through the local provider.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,400 a year
Healthcare in Pine County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Essentia Health Sandstone) — Pine
County · MinnesotaUninsured and underinsured residents of Pine County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Essentia Health Sandstone 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
Transportation in Pine County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Arrowhead Transit) — Pine
County · MinnesotaArrowhead Transit provides public dial-a-ride and deviated-route bus service across northeastern Minnesota, including Pine County — usable for medical appointments, shopping, and errands, with wheelchair-accessible buses. Call 1-800-862-0175 to schedule a ride or ask about senior fares.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Pine 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.
Lakes & Pines Community Action Council (local EAP service provider)
Runs: Energy Assistance Program intake (Lakes & Pines Community Action Council)
Essentia Health Sandstone
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Essentia Health Sandstone)
Central Minnesota Council on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Central Minnesota Council on Aging)
Arrowhead Transit
Minnesota and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Pine 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.
- Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
- Homestead Credit Refund (Homeowner's Property Tax Refund)
- Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral
- Renter's Credit (Property Tax Refund for Renters)
- 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 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.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.