Senior benefits in Richmond County, North Carolina

The Lumber River Area Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Richmond County (Rockingham). It is the local entry point that connects older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities to in-home aide services, home-delivered and group meals, transportation, family caregiver support, benefits and insurance counseling (SHIIP), and the Medicaid in-home care waivers. Services are aimed at adults 60 and older, with priority for those in the greatest need. Call the Area Agency on Aging at 910-618-5533 to get started.

Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year

North Carolina's Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) helps income-eligible Richmond County households pay heating bills, and the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) helps when a heating or cooling emergency or shutoff is imminent. Both are run locally by the Richmond County Department of Social Services. Households where someone is 60 or older or has a disability can apply early each season (starting in December), and all other households apply starting in January until funds run out. Apply online at ePASS (https://epass.nc.gov), or contact Richmond County DSS at 910-997-8480.

Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,100 a year

FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital (also called FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital - Richmond) in Rockingham is the main hospital serving Richmond County. FirstHealth's Financial Assistance Program covers medically necessary care: patients can get up to a 100 percent discount if their adjusted income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, with smaller tiered discounts up to 360 percent. Apply in your MyChart account, or fill out, sign, and mail the Financial Aid Application to the Patient Accounts Department. Call a financial counselor at 910-715-1010 with questions.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$18,000 a year

In this county: The hospital provides free or discounted (charity) care to lower-income, uninsured, and underinsured patients based on financial need and household income, so this shows as a may-qualify result. Patient Accounts staff can help you apply.

Minor home repairs and modifications for adults 60 and older who are unable to pay for the needed repairs, done with the help of volunteers. Services can include new door handles and deadbolt locks, fire/smoke detectors, repair or replacement of damaged doors and windows, fixing leaking faucets, pipes, or toilets, hot water heater replacement or draining, ramps, new steps, hand railings, grab bars, and replacement of non-working appliances. Priority goes to low-income disabled adults in greatest need. Contact the Aging Specialist at 910-775-9759 to apply.

Area of Richmond Transit (ART), operated by Richmond Interagency Transportation, is the community transportation service for Richmond County (Rockingham). It provides affordable, wheelchair-accessible rides for medical visits, shopping, and essential errands in and around the county. Tell the office if a wheelchair lift is needed. Any Richmond County resident can ride for a flat fare by destination. Older adults and people with disabilities may qualify for help with ride costs through the state EDTAP program; fill out the EDTAP registration form and bring a current state ID to the ART office. Book by noon the day before; call 910-895-1313 to enroll, book or cancel a trip.

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

In this county: This is a demand-response community transportation service reserved in advance; trip availability and any senior or disability fare reduction depend on capacity and grant funding, so this shows as a may-qualify result.