Senior benefits in Fulton County, Ohio

Fulton County emergency aid: (1) Fulton 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) Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) 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 Fulton County residents: Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Fulton County (created 1965; serves Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, Van Wert, and Williams counties). 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

Fulton County hospital safety net: Fulton = Fulton County Health Center (Wauseon, INDEPENDENT 25-bed critical access) — the county hospital. 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://fultoncountyhealthcenter.org/. Phone: 419-335-2015.

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

In this county: Fulton: Fulton = Fulton County Health Center (Wauseon, INDEPENDENT 25-bed critical access) — the county hospital. 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. Call the Area Office on Aging at 419-382-0624 or download the Fulton County application from the agency's Programs page.

Fulton 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

Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) operates regional public transportation serving Fulton County (part of the 5-county NW corner network: Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, Williams; 800-589-5811). The Fulton County Senior Center adds senior rides; reduced senior fares. Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Call NOCAC transit at 800-589-5811 or the Fulton County Senior Center to schedule senior rides.

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