Senior benefits in Athens County, Ohio

Athens County emergency aid: (1) Athens County Job and Family Services for Ohio Works First (TANF), Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) emergency assistance (TANF-funded; usually requires a minor child in the home), and Ohio Medicaid; (2) Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) for HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis utility help; (3) Buckeye Hills Regional Council Area Agency on Aging for senior case management, Title III meals, and PASSPORT enrollment (800-331-2644 / 740-374-9436); (4) the county hospital FAP + Ohio HCAP for healthcare safety-net; (5) Catholic Charities / Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul; (6) the Southeast Ohio Food Bank (HAPCAP); (7) Ohio 2-1-1 for general referrals.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$3,000 a year

Ohio HEAP for Athens County residents: Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Athens County (serves Hocking, Athens, Perry; also runs the Southeast Ohio Food Bank). Income limit: 175% FPL (~$27,930 single). Apply via energyhelp.ohio.gov, by calling 1-800-282-0880, or at the local administering agency. PIPP+ (ongoing 6%-of-income utility plan) + Winter Crisis Program (Nov-March emergency tier) layer on top.

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

Athens County hospital safety net: Athens = OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital (144-bed) — OhioHealth's southeastern Ohio anchor in the Ohio University college town. Ohio's Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP) requires hospitals receiving HCAP funds (essentially all Ohio acute-care hospitals) to provide basic, medically necessary hospital-level services free of charge to Ohio residents at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own Financial Assistance Program (typically sliding to 200-400% FPL) layers above HCAP. Apply at the hospital financial counseling office or at https://www.ohiohealth.com/billing-insurance/pay-your-bill/financial-assistance. Phone: 740-593-5551.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$30,000 a year

In this county: Athens: Athens = OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital (144-bed) — OhioHealth's southeastern Ohio anchor in the Ohio University college town. Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.

Buckeye Hills helps homeowners in Athens County stay safe at home. People 60 and older can get accessibility changes and small home repairs. People of any age with a disability can get accessibility changes. Work can include ramps, grab bars and handrails, swapping a tub for a shower, and wider doorways, plus small single-problem repairs to plumbing, electrical, or heating. A housing coordinator visits your home and makes a work plan, and contractors do the work. You must own your home. Call the Advice Line at 800-331-2644 to see if you qualify, or call the Housing Coordinator at 740-376-7647 for an application.

Athens County AAA = Buckeye Hills Regional Council Area Agency on Aging (PSA 8, Marietta). Services include: Title III Congregate + Home-Delivered Meals; OSHIIP (Medicare counseling); PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver enrollment + assessment; caregiver support and respite; Ohio Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program; information and referral through the Advice Line. Call the Buckeye Hills Advice Line at 800-331-2644 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Estimated service value: $1,500–$6,000 a year

Athens Public Transit (APT), run by HAPCAP, operates fixed bus routes in Athens, The Plains, Chauncey, Albany and Nelsonville, weekdays only. Riders age 65 and older get 50% off fares and all passes and tickets; riders with disabilities get the same discount and may bring one personal care attendant free. To get the discount, fill out the one-page Reduced Fare Certification Form (from a driver, the garage at 397 W. State St., or the Athens Mayor's Office), bring proof of age and a photo to the Mayor's Office, and show the blue ID card or picture pass when boarding. Through April 2027, community members ride free with a Community Member APT pass picked up from the driver. HAPCAP also runs GoBus intercity coaches from Athens to Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland. Call APT at 740-592-2727 (weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for schedules or route deviations.

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

In this county: Athens: APT half-price fares for riders 65+ with a certified blue ID; a systemwide free-fare period runs through April 2027.