Senior benefits in Pickaway 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.

Pickaway County emergency aid: (1) PICCA (469 E. Ohio St, Circleville) for HEAP/PIPP+, emergency services, weatherization — and PICCA also operates the county's public transit (PART); (2) Pickaway County Job and Family Services for Ohio Works First, emergency assistance, Ohio Medicaid; (3) Pickaway Senior Center; (4) COAAA senior case management (614-645-7250); (5) OhioHealth Berger FAP + HCAP; (6) Ohio 2-1-1 for general referrals.

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

Ohio HEAP for Pickaway County residents: PICCA (Pickaway County Community Action Organization, 469 E. Ohio St, Circleville) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Pickaway 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

Pickaway County hospital safety net: Pickaway = OhioHealth Berger (Circleville) — county hospital that joined OhioHealth 2019. 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.ohiohealth.com/billing-insurance/pay-your-bill/financial-assistance. Phone: 614-566-5594.

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

In this county: Pickaway: Pickaway = OhioHealth Berger (Circleville) — county hospital that joined OhioHealth 2019. 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.

Pickaway 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

PICCA Transit (Pickaway Area Rural Transit, PART) — public transportation operated by the county's community action agency (PICCA). FREE Flex Bus loop around Circleville (custom pickups within city limits on request), county-wide Demand Response door-to-door service, plus free Rickenbacker shuttle and Columbus connections. DISTINCTIVE — the community action agency runs the county's transit. Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Call PICCA Transit to schedule Demand Response; the Circleville Flex Bus loop is free to ride.

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