Senior benefits in Scotland County, North Carolina

The Lumber River Area Agency on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for Scotland County (Laurinburg). 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 Scotland 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 Scotland 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 Scotland County DSS at 910-277-2500.

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

Scotland Memorial Hospital, part of the not-for-profit Scotland Health Care System in Laurinburg, is the main hospital serving Scotland County. Its financial assistance program helps patients who cannot afford their hospital bills, reviewing household income and family size to decide free or discounted care. The hospital uses the look-back method so qualifying patients are not charged more than the amounts generally billed to insured patients. Call the Financial Counselors at 910-291-7171, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for help with an application.

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

In this county: The hospital provides free or discounted (charity) care to lower-income patients based on household income and family size, so this shows as a may-qualify result. Financial counselors 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.

The Scotland County Area Transit System (SCATS) is the county-operated, curb-to-curb transportation service for Scotland County (Laurinburg). It carries riders to doctor visits, dialysis, therapy, pharmacies, nutrition sites, shopping, and work, using wheelchair-accessible lift vans. Through Council on Aging funding, county residents 60 and older can request rides to any business or service in the county at no cost. Schedule a ride by calling SCATS at 910-277-2416.

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

In this county: This is a demand-response community transportation service reserved in advance; trips for residents 60+ are funded through the Council on Aging and the county reports them as free, but availability depends on capacity and grant funding, so this shows as a may-qualify result.