Senior benefits in Erie County, Ohio

Erie County emergency aid: (1) Erie 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) Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) for HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis utility help; (3) Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio for senior case management, Title III meals, and PASSPORT enrollment (1-800-472-7277 / 800-472-7277); (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 Erie County residents: Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Erie 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

Erie County hospital safety net: Erie = Firelands Health (Sandusky, INDEPENDENT 287-bed regional) — the Lake Erie region's anchor. 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.firelands.com/. Phone: 419-557-7400.

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

In this county: Erie: Erie = Firelands Health (Sandusky, INDEPENDENT 287-bed regional) — the Lake Erie region's anchor. Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.

Minor home repairs and accessibility modifications for older adults age 60 and older, funded by the Ohio Department of Aging and run in northwest Ohio by the Area Office on Aging. The program fixes the problems that make a home unsafe to stay in — the kinds of repairs and modifications a homeowner cannot afford on a fixed income. Eligibility is set by the state program and confirmed at application. In Erie County the program is run by Great Lakes Community Action Partnership — call 419-334-8911 or toll-free 1-800-775-9767 to apply.

Erie County AAA = Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio. 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 1-800-472-7277 or 800-472-7277.

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

Sandusky Transit System (STS, City of Sandusky) runs Dial-A-Ride, a curb-to-curb, shared-ride service within the Sandusky Urbanized Service Area. It is open to the general public, and vehicles are wheelchair accessible. A one-way trip is $5.00, or $2.50 with an Elderly/Disabled card. Riders 65 or older (or with a disability) get the card by returning the Elderly/Disabled Application with proof of age to Sandusky City Hall, 240 Columbus Ave. Book rides by calling 419-627-0740, Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm. Fixed-route buses cost $2.00, or $1.00 with the card.

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

In this county: Erie: STS is open to the public; riders 65+ with an Elderly/Disabled card pay half fare.