Senior benefits in Licking 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.

Licking County Aging Partners provides senior transportation, meals, activity centers, and community resource navigation for residents 60+. Its Social Services staff help with Social Security issues, utility bills, public assistance, and emergency resources — call (740) 345-0821. Layered referrals: Licking County Job and Family Services (emergency assistance, Medicaid); LEADS Community Action (HEAP/PIPP+, 740-349-8606); COAAA (614-645-7250); Licking Memorial FAP + HCAP; Food Pantry Network of Licking County; Ohio 2-1-1.

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

Ohio HEAP for Licking County residents: LEADS Community Action (Licking Economic Action Development Study, Newark) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Licking County (740-349-8606). 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

Licking County hospital safety net: Licking = Licking Memorial Health Systems (Newark, INDEPENDENT) — free care ≤100% FPL, assistance to 250% FPL; the Intel-corridor growth county. 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.lmhealth.org/Patients-Visitors/After-Your-Stay/Assistance-Financial-Aid.aspx. Phone: 220-564-1500.

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

In this county: Licking: Licking = Licking Memorial Health Systems (Newark, INDEPENDENT) — free care ≤100% FPL, assistance to 250% FPL; the Intel-corridor growth county. 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.

Licking 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

Licking County Transit (745 East Main Street, Newark) — demand-response public transportation county-wide. DISTINCTIVE — riders 60+ qualify for NO-FARE rides under the Senior Citizens Levy Program, one of the most generous senior transit arrangements in the catalog. Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Call 740-670-5185 (option 1) to schedule a demand-response ride; riders 60+ ride free under the Senior Citizens Levy Program. Fixed bus routes are fare-free for all riders.

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