Senior benefits in Crawford County, Ohio

Crawford County emergency aid: (1) Crawford 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) Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission (OHCAC) for HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis utility help; (3) Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging for senior case management, Title III meals, and PASSPORT enrollment (419-524-4144); (4) the county hospital FAP + Ohio HCAP for healthcare safety-net; (5) Catholic Charities / Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul; (6) regional food bank; (7) Ohio 2-1-1 for general referrals.

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

Ohio HEAP for Crawford County residents: Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission (OHCAC) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Crawford County. 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

Crawford County hospital safety net: Crawford = Avita Health System (Bucyrus + Galion Hospitals, INDEPENDENT regional) — the county anchor (Galion Hospital since 1913). 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.avitahealth.org/. Phone: 419-468-0800.

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

In this county: Crawford: Crawford = Avita Health System (Bucyrus + Galion Hospitals, INDEPENDENT regional) — the county anchor (Galion Hospital since 1913). Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.

Self-directed home care for veterans with complex, chronic medical needs who are at risk of nursing home placement. The veteran is approved for an annual budget and directs their own care: who provides services, what services are needed, and when. The budget can cover personal care, meals, respite care, care coordination, home modifications, safety goods, monitoring, nutrition, and transportation. Family caregivers — including family or friends the veteran chooses — can be paid for the care they provide. Apply through the Area Agency on Aging at 419-524-4144 (toll-free 800-860-5799).

Minor home repairs and modifications for older adults with mobility or safety concerns, to support staying in the home. Services can include furnace repairs, roof repairs, wheelchair ramps, and bathroom accessibility modifications. Apply through the Area Agency on Aging at 419-524-4144 (toll-free 800-860-5799).

Crawford County AAA = Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging (PSA 5, Ontario/Mansfield). Services include: Title III Congregate + Home-Delivered Meals; OSHIIP (Medicare counseling); PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver enrollment + assessment; National Family Caregiver Support Program; Ohio Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program; Long-Term Care Options Counseling. Apply by calling the AAA at 419-524-4144.

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

North Central Area Transit (NCAT, formerly Seneca-Crawford Area Transportation / SCAT; Crawford County office in Galion) — door-to-door, curb-to-curb public transportation for Crawford and Seneca county residents for medical, banking, social, and shopping trips, including out-of-county. Riders 60 and older can apply for a half-fare Elderly pass for trips within the county. Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Call NCAT at 419-617-7191 to schedule at least 48 hours ahead (72 hours for out-of-county trips), and ask about the Elderly/Disabled half-fare pass.

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

In this county: Crawford: NCAT is open to the public; riders 60+ with an Elderly pass pay half fare within the county.