Senior benefits in Highland County, Ohio

Highland County emergency aid: (1) Highland 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 Highland County Community Action Organization for HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis utility help; (3) Area Agency on Aging District 7 for senior case management, Title III meals, and PASSPORT enrollment (740-245-5306); (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 Highland County residents: the Highland County Community Action Organization is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Highland 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

Highland County hospital safety net: Highland = Highland District Hospital (Hillsboro, 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.hdh.org/. Phone: 937-393-6100.

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

In this county: Highland: Highland = Highland District Hospital (Hillsboro, 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.

Repairs and accessibility work on the homes of older adults so they can stay put safely. Covered work includes repairing or replacing heating systems, plumbing, hot water tanks, water lines, electrical systems, roofs, floors and walls, plus ramps, wider doorways, and bathroom and kitchen modifications for accessibility. Some restrictions apply to mobile homes. Call 1-800-582-7277 and ask for Mary Beth Trace at extension 22241, or email info@aaa7.org.

Highland County AAA = Area Agency on Aging District 7. 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 740-245-5306.

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

Senior transportation in this county is arranged through the Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) network: rides to medical appointments, senior centers and congregate meal sites, and essential errands, provided under the Older Americans Act for adults 60 and older. Call the AAA7 Resource Center at 1-800-582-7277 to be connected to the county's current transportation provider and schedule rides.

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