Senior benefits in Morgan County, Ohio

Morgan County emergency aid: (1) Morgan 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) Washington-Morgan Community Action (WMCAP) for HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis utility help; (3) Buckeye Hills Regional Council Area Agency on Aging for senior case management, Title III meals, and PASSPORT enrollment (800-331-2644 / 740-374-9436); (4) the county hospital FAP + Ohio HCAP for healthcare safety-net; (5) Catholic Charities / Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul; (6) the Southeast Ohio Food Bank (HAPCAP); (7) Ohio 2-1-1 for general referrals.

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

Ohio HEAP for Morgan County residents: Washington-Morgan Community Action (WMCAP) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Morgan County (serves Washington and Morgan). 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

Morgan County hospital safety net: Morgan = no in-county acute hospital; served by Genesis (Zanesville), Memorial Marietta, and Hocking Valley (Logan). 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; Genesis's own Financial Assistance Program layers above HCAP — Genesis says households with income below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify for free or reduced-cost care. Apply at the hospital financial counseling office or at https://www.genesishcs.org/patients/financial-assistance. Phone: 740-454-4000.

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

In this county: Morgan: Morgan = no in-county acute hospital; served by Genesis (Zanesville), Memorial Marietta, and Hocking Valley (Logan). Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.

Buckeye Hills helps homeowners in Morgan County stay safe at home. People 60 and older can get accessibility changes and small home repairs. People of any age with a disability can get accessibility changes. Work can include ramps, grab bars and handrails, swapping a tub for a shower, and wider doorways, plus small single-problem repairs to plumbing, electrical, or heating. A housing coordinator visits your home and makes a work plan, and contractors do the work. You must own your home. Call the Advice Line at 800-331-2644 to see if you qualify, or call the Housing Coordinator at 740-376-7647 for an application.

Morgan County AAA = Buckeye Hills Regional Council Area Agency on Aging (PSA 8, Marietta). 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 Advice Line at 1-800-331-2644.

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

The Morgan County Office on Aging provides transportation for seniors 60 and older in Morgan County. Call the Office on Aging at 740-962-5600 to ask about a ride. Buckeye Southeast Transit (740-962-9125) also runs curb-to-curb rides open to the public in Morgan, Noble and Monroe counties, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; book at least 48 hours ahead.

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

In this county: Morgan: Office on Aging senior rides for residents 60+.