Senior benefits in Wilson County, North Carolina

The Upper Coastal Plain Area Agency on Aging serves older adults age 60 and older, their family caregivers, and people with disabilities in Wilson County. Services include congregate and home-delivered meals, family caregiver support and respite, the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) for Medicare counseling, options counseling and long-term care help, the long-term care ombudsman, and links to local senior centers. Call the Area Agency on Aging to learn what is available in your county.

Estimated service value: $1,000–$6,000 a year

North Carolina's Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) gives a one-time payment toward heating costs, and the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) helps when a household faces a heating or cooling emergency. Both are run by the Wilson County Department of Social Services. Households that include a person age 60 or older, or a person with a disability receiving services through the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services, can sign up early — starting December 10; all other households apply January 1 through March 31, until funds run out. CIP applications are taken year-round (July 1 to June 30) and need a past-due or final-notice utility bill showing a heating or cooling emergency. Apply online through ePASS at epass.nc.gov, by phone at 252-206-4000, or at the county DSS office at 100 W. Gold Street in Wilson.

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

In this county: Wilson: LIEAP/CIP are income-based and first-come while funds last; the county DSS makes the final decision. Households with a member 60+ (or with a disability, receiving DAAS services) can sign up starting December 10. Apply via ePASS (epass.nc.gov) or call 252-206-4000 (option 8, then option 3 for LIEAP or option 1 for CIP).

Wilson Medical Center is the main hospital serving Wilson County. It offers charity care (financial assistance) for uninsured and underinsured patients who cannot afford emergency or medically necessary care, based on household income and family size. Insured patients may also qualify for help with the portion not covered by insurance. Ask for a financial assistance application or call the billing office.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Wilson: Wilson Medical Center charity care covers uninsured and underinsured patients for emergency and medically necessary care; the award depends on household income and family size.

Home Care Independence lets Wilson County residents age 60 and older hire a family member, friend or other person of their choice as a paid personal assistant. The assistant helps with personal care such as bathing and dressing, and with home tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry and shopping. A care advisor helps you plan and direct your own care, and a payroll service pays the assistant. Call Wilson County Department of Social Services at 252-206-4137 to ask about openings.

Wilson County Transportation (ARRIVE) is the county's public transportation system. It gives rides to the rural general public Monday through Saturday, plus trips arranged through the Wilson County Office of Senior Citizens Affairs and other agencies. Rural general public fares start at $2.00 each way. Call 252-399-2817 by 2:00 p.m. the weekday before to reserve a ride. Inside the city of Wilson, the RIDE on-demand service costs $2.50 a trip, has wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and offers discounted pricing to holders of a Wilson Transit Senior Citizen or Disabled ID card (call RIDE at 252-595-5357).

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

In this county: Wilson: county ARRIVE rides and the city RIDE service offer senior/disabled discounts; fares and a 24-hour reservation may apply depending on the service.