Senior benefits in Portage County, Ohio

Portage County emergency aid: (1) Portage 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) the Community Action Council of Portage County for HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis utility help; (3) Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities for senior case management, Title III meals, and PASSPORT enrollment (330-633-4045); (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 Portage County residents: the Community Action Council of Portage County is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Portage 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

Portage County hospital safety net: Portage = UH Portage Medical Center (Ravenna, University Hospitals) — county anchor, with Cleveland Clinic and Akron systems reaching in. 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.uhhospitals.org/locations/uh-portage-medical-center. Phone: 330-297-0811.

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

In this county: Portage: Portage = UH Portage Medical Center (Ravenna, University Hospitals) — county anchor, with Cleveland Clinic and Akron systems reaching in. Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.

Self-directed home care for veterans who need help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing or fixing meals. The VA approves a budget, and the veteran decides what services and goods to buy, who provides them, and when. The veteran can hire their own workers, including family members or neighbors. A Direction Home care manager helps build a spending plan, and a financial management company (Acumen) pays the workers. VA eligibility is set up through the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. To start, call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 877-770-5558 or email vdcinfo@dhad.org.

Portage County AAA = Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities. 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 330-633-4045.

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

PARTA (Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority) — fixed-route bus service in Kent and Ravenna (including Kent State University) plus county-wide dial-a-ride. Reduced fares for riders 65+ and riders with disabilities; ADA paratransit. Reduced fares: fixed-route $0.50 (regular $1.00), 31-day pass $22.50 (regular $45.00); Dial-A-Ride $3.00 per ride (regular $6.00), 10-ride book $30 (regular $54). Seniors 65+, Medicare card holders and people with disabilities qualify. Get a reduced-fare card at 2000 Summit Road, Kent, or by calling 330-678-1287 with a Medicare card or driver's license; the same number (330-678-1BUS) books Dial-A-Ride. Customer service: 330-676-6701.

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