Senior benefits in Fairfield County, Ohio

If you care for a loved one at home, COAAA gives you free access to Trualta, an online training platform for family caregivers. It offers short videos, articles, tip sheets and professional-level training on personal care, brain health, safety, self-care, managing challenging behaviors and more, plus ways to connect with other caregivers and local resources. Use it from any computer or phone. Registration is required — COAAA's Trualta Support Specialists can check eligibility and help you sign up: call 614-724-7007 or 614-645-7460.

Fairfield County emergency aid: (1) Fairfield County Job and Family Services for Ohio Works First, emergency assistance, Ohio Medicaid; (2) Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency (1743 E Main St, Lancaster, 740-653-4146) for HEAP/PIPP+, emergency services, weatherization, and senior programming; (3) COAAA for senior case management (614-645-7250); (4) Fairfield Medical Center FAP + HCAP; (5) Catholic Charities / Salvation Army / Society of St. Vincent de Paul; (6) Ohio 2-1-1 / Fairfield County 2-1-1 for general referrals.

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

Ohio HEAP for Fairfield County residents: Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Fairfield County (phone appointments: 740-777-9055). 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

Fairfield County hospital safety net: Fairfield = Adena Fairfield Medical Center (Lancaster, now part of Adena Health System). 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.fmchealth.org/. Financial Representative line: 1-866-826-9815 (hospital main 740-687-8000).

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

In this county: Fairfield: Fairfield = Adena Fairfield Medical Center (Lancaster, now part of Adena Health System). Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.

In-home care for veterans who want to stay in their own home and choose who provides their care — often a family member, who is paid for the care they give. The local VA Medical Center approves a monthly spending budget; COAAA handles the case management and coordinates the in-home services, which can include meal preparation, personal care, homemaking, and medication administration. Referrals come to COAAA through the VA Medical Center, so start by asking the veteran's VA care team about Veteran-Directed Care, or call COAAA at 800-589-7277.

Fairfield County AAA = Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA). 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 614-645-7250.

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

Fairfield County Transit runs LINK Lines fixed routes ($0.50 a ride) and LINK Direct curb-to-curb service ($2.00 with a prior-day reservation). Riders approved for the county's Mobility program pay reduced fares — $0.25 on LINK Lines and $1.00 on LINK Direct. The Mobility program requires an application; call the transit office at 740-681-5086 (Monday-Friday, 8-4) to ask about eligibility and apply.

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