Senior benefits in Mahoning County, Ohio

Help for grandparents and other relatives age 55 or older who are raising a related child under 18 in their home in Mahoning County. Once each calendar year, the Kinship Support Program can provide items such as clothing, diapers or wipes, and a mattress and box spring, plus counseling about kinship caregiver resources. Children may also get free summer camp as respite for the caregiver, and there is a monthly online support group. Call 330-505-2352 to enroll.

Mahoning County emergency aid: (1) Mahoning 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), Ohio Medicaid (apply by phone at 1-844-640-6446); (2) Area Agency on Aging 11 (Direction Home of Eastern Ohio) for senior-specific case management (330-505-2300); (3) hospital FAP for healthcare safety-net (330-746-7211); (4) Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership (MYCAP) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Mahoning County for HEAP/PIPP+; (5) Catholic Charities / Salvation Army / Society of 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 Mahoning County residents: Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership (MYCAP) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Mahoning 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

In this county: Mahoning: HEAP delivery via Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership (MYCAP) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Mahoning County. PIPP+ + Winter Crisis layer on top.

Mahoning County hospital safety net is Mahoning = Mercy St. Elizabeth Youngstown (Bon Secours Mercy flagship) + Mercy Boardman + Northside Medical Center (post-Steward 2024). Mercy-dominant. 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.mercy.com/patient-resources/billing-insurance/financial-assistance. Phone: 330-746-7211.

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

In this county: Mahoning: Mahoning = Mercy St. Elizabeth Youngstown (Bon Secours Mercy flagship) + Mercy Boardman + Northside Medical Center (post-Steward 2024). Mercy-dominant. Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.

Mahoning County AAA = Area Agency on Aging 11 (AAA11). 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 AAA at 330-505-2300 (toll-free 800-686-7367).

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

WRTA (Western Reserve Transit Authority) bus service is currently fare-free for ALL riders — 'Ride Free! No Fare Required' on every fixed route across the Youngstown area (Youngstown, Austintown, Boardman, Liberty, Struthers, and countywide service). Riders 65 and older (and riders with disabilities) also qualify for WRTA's ADA All-Access curb-to-curb scheduled service, which is likewise free. Contact WRTA at 604 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown, or call 330-744-8431.

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