Senior benefits in Lowndes County, Mississippi

The Golden Triangle Planning and Development District (GTPDD) in Starkville is the Area Agency on Aging for Choctaw, Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Webster and Winston counties, including Lowndes County. Its toll-free line gives older adults information and referral on health care, money problems, legal services, group meals at meal sites, home-delivered meals, personal care, long-term care ombudsman help and case management. Call toll-free 1-888-324-9000, or call the GTPDD Department of Aging at (662) 324-7860 and choose option 2.

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

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home energy bills and energy crisis costs. In Lowndes County, LIHEAP is handled by Prairie Opportunity, Inc., the Community Action Agency (CAA) that serves Choctaw, Clay, Leake, Lowndes, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Webster and Winston counties. Its Columbus office is at 501 7th St. North, Columbus; call 662-328-1669. To apply, submit a pre-application on Access MS and mark "Community Services"; the CAA then mails or emails an appointment notice, and the full application is finished in person. A household typically qualifies with income at or below 60% of the state median income and an energy bill due. Households with elderly or disabled members get priority and should get an appointment within 30 business days. If approved, the CAA pays the energy company directly. Funding is limited.

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

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) county office for Lowndes County is at 1604 College St, Columbus, MS 39701. Call 662-328-5278. County offices help with SNAP food benefits and can explain what documents to send with an application. Older adults can use the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP), a simpler way to apply for SNAP, when everyone in the household is 65 or over and no one has earnings from work; the application is form MDHS EA 904. People who get SSI can apply for SNAP through the Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) at the Social Security office or the local county MDHS office. ESAP and MSCAP participants can call 800-948-4060 for help with a SNAP case.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle in Columbus takes part in Baptist's Hospital Financial Assistance Policy, which helps uninsured and underinsured patients pay for emergency and medically necessary care. Help is based on family size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Under the policy's discount table, family income under 200% of the guidelines gets a 100% discount; 201-250% gets 95%; 251-300% gets 90%; 301-350% gets 85%; and 351-400% gets 80%. Above 400%, the discount varies by facility. Insured patients with large out-of-pocket bills may also get help. Fill out a Financial Assistance Application and return it with proof of income to the business office where care was received, within 240 days of the first bill. Call the Baptist financial assistance line at 877-348-1281.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year