Senior benefits in Jasper County, Mississippi

The East Central Planning and Development District (ECPDD) is the Area Agency on Aging for Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott and Smith counties, including Jasper County. Its aging services include congregate meals, emergency response, home delivered meals, homemaker services, information and referral, legal assistance, the long-term care ombudsman, outreach, respite, SHIP Medicare counseling, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), transportation, and Matter of Balance and Walk with Ease classes. ECPDD also provides case management for the Medicaid Elderly and Disabled Waiver. The mailing address is P. O. Box 499, Newton. Call (601) 683-2007.

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

Multi-County Community Service Agency (Multi-County CSA) takes LIHEAP applications for Jasper County. Its Jasper County office is at 3870 County Rd 8, Heidelberg. Phone: (601) 787-4844. LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) helps pay home energy bills, and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) helps in an energy emergency. A household typically qualifies with income at or below 60% of the state median income for its size and an energy bill due. Households with elderly or disabled members get priority. To apply, submit a pre-application online through the Common Web Portal on Access MS and mark "Community Services". The agency will then send you an appointment to finish the application in person; if you are elderly or disabled, expect the appointment within 30 business days. The yearly benefit can be up to $1,500.

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

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) county office for Jasper County is at 37 West 8th Ave. Phone: 601-764-2151. Email: dfo.jaspercounty@mdhs.ms.gov. MDHS runs SNAP, which gives monthly food benefits on an EBT card to people with low income, including older adults and people with disabilities. If everyone in the household is 65 or older and no one earns money from work, MDHS uses a shorter form, the SNAP Simplified Application for the Elderly (ESAP, form MDHS EA 904). People who get SSI may get SNAP through the Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP). Contact the county office to ask what documents to send with your application. Medicaid for older adults is handled by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid, not MDHS.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Jasper General Hospital in Bay Springs is Jasper County's hospital. It does not post a financial assistance policy online. Call the hospital at 601-764-2101 and ask the business office about financial help with a hospital bill or a payment plan.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Rural public transit in Jasper County is run by D.J. Transit, Inc., based in Laurel, as part of MDOT's statewide public transit network. These are demand-response rides you schedule ahead, open to the general public, and used by seniors and people with disabilities to get to doctor's appointments, the grocery store and other places. Many vehicles are wheelchair accessible. For a ride, call DJ Transit at 601-682-0701 (also the Southern Connect regional group number) and ask about fares and how to book.

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