Senior benefits in Fayette 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.

Fayette County emergency aid: (1) Fayette 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) the Community Action Commission of Fayette County for HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis utility help; (3) Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) for senior case management, Title III meals, and PASSPORT enrollment (614-645-7250); (4) the county hospital FAP + Ohio HCAP for healthcare safety-net; (5) Catholic Charities / Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul; (6) the regional food bank; (7) Ohio 2-1-1 for general referrals.

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

Ohio HEAP for Fayette County residents: the Community Action Commission of Fayette County is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Fayette 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

Fayette County hospital safety net: Fayette = Adena Fayette Medical Center (Washington Court House, INDEPENDENT) — the county 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.fcmh.com/. Phone: 740-335-1210.

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

In this county: Fayette: Fayette = Fayette County Memorial Hospital (Washington Court House, INDEPENDENT) — the county anchor. 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.

Fayette 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

Fayette Madison Transit (FMT), operated by the Community Action Commission of Fayette County, is the public transit service for all residents of Fayette and Madison counties (Washington Court House), with accessible vehicles and out-of-area medical trips. Reduced senior fares. Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Call Fayette Madison Transit (FMT) at 740-335-7282 to schedule; request the reduced senior fare.

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