Senior benefits in Jackson County, Ohio

Jackson County emergency aid: (1) Jackson 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) Jackson-Vinton Community Action 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 Jackson County residents: Jackson-Vinton Community Action is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Jackson County (serves Jackson and Vinton). 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

Jackson County hospital safety net: Jackson = Holzer Jackson (Holzer Health System) — county hospital, with Adena (Chillicothe) reaching the north. 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.holzer.org/. Phone: 740-288-1400.

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

In this county: Jackson: Jackson = Holzer Jackson (Holzer Health System) — county hospital, with Adena (Chillicothe) reaching the north. 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.

Jackson 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

Jackson-Vinton Community Action gives curb-to-curb rides to medical appointments, jobs, and job training for Jackson County residents who meet its rules. Rides go within Jackson and Vinton counties and to Columbus, Athens, Gallipolis, Portsmouth, Lancaster, and other places. If you have Medicaid, call the Jackson County call center at 740-395-0260 to book. If you do not have Medicaid, fill out a CSBG form for everyone in your home and show proof of income; you must meet income limits. Rides to work or training may cost a small fare. Call 740-384-0648 or toll-free 1-866-471-4455 for more information or to schedule a ride.

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

In this county: Rides are for Jackson County residents who have Medicaid or who meet Jackson-Vinton Community Action's income rules. There is no age requirement and no published senior fare. The agency decides who qualifies.