Senior benefits in Winston 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 Winston 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 Winston 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 Louisville office is at 921 S. Church St., Louisville; call 662-773-3465. 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 Winston County is at 165 Vance St, Louisville, MS 39339. Call 662-773-8034. 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

Winston Medical Center in Louisville has a financial assistance program that gives discounts, up to 100 percent of hospital charges, to patients who meet financial eligibility guidelines. Patients who qualify will not be charged more for medically necessary care than amounts generally billed to insured patients. Patients are asked to give health insurance information, apply for government programs they may qualify for, fill out a financial assistance application when needed, and provide the papers requested. The application asks for household income for the last 12 months, with recent pay stubs and W-2 forms or last year's tax return. Call the Business Office at 662-779-5127.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Financial assistance is set by the hospital's own policy, and the hospital makes the final decision. Discounts apply to the patient's balance after insurance has paid.

Rural public transit in Winston County is part of MDOT's EZTAG regional transit group. Rides here are provided by Philadelphia Transit, Noxubee County Human Resource Agency and Choctaw Transit (Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians). 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. Call the EZTAG regional group at 601-650-7429 or 601-650-7484 to find the provider for your area and ask about fares and how to book.

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