Senior benefits in Ross County, Ohio

Ross County emergency aid: (1) Ross 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) Ross County Community Action for HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis utility help; (3) Area Agency on Aging District 7 for senior case management, Title III meals, and PASSPORT enrollment (740-245-5306); (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 Ross County residents: Ross County Community Action is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Ross 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

Ross County hospital safety net: Ross = Adena Regional Medical Center (Chillicothe) — Adena Health System's INDEPENDENT flagship and the south-central Appalachian anchor (100% FA <=200% FPL). 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.adena.org/patients-and-visitors/billing-and-financial-services/financial-assistance. Phone: 740-779-7500.

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

In this county: Ross: Ross = Adena Regional Medical Center (Chillicothe) — Adena Health System's INDEPENDENT flagship and the south-central Appalachian anchor (100% FA <=200% FPL). Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.

Repairs and accessibility work on the homes of older adults so they can stay put safely. Covered work includes repairing or replacing heating systems, plumbing, hot water tanks, water lines, electrical systems, roofs, floors and walls, plus ramps, wider doorways, and bathroom and kitchen modifications for accessibility. Some restrictions apply to mobile homes. Call 1-800-582-7277 and ask for Mary Beth Trace at extension 22241, or email info@aaa7.org.

Ross County AAA = Area Agency on Aging District 7. 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 740-245-5306.

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

Chillicothe Transit System (CTS) — fixed-route bus service in Chillicothe (3 routes, Monday-Saturday) plus On-Demand Paratransit (door-to-door for riders 65+ and riders with disabilities). RossGo provides non-emergency medical transportation for Medicaid-eligible Ross County residents to 16 surrounding counties. Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Call CTS at 740-773-1569 to use On-Demand Paratransit (free door-to-door for riders 65+ in the city).

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