Senior benefits in Scioto County, Ohio

Scioto County emergency aid: (1) Scioto 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 Organization of Scioto County 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 Scioto County residents: the Community Action Organization of Scioto County is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Scioto 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

Scioto County hospital safety net: Scioto = Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC, Portsmouth, INDEPENDENT regional) — the Ohio River anchor near the Kentucky border. 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.somc.org/. Phone: 740-356-5000.

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

In this county: Scioto: Scioto = Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC, Portsmouth, INDEPENDENT regional) — the Ohio River anchor near the Kentucky border. 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.

Scioto 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

Access Scioto County — the public transit system for Portsmouth and all of Scioto County, with daily service (Mon-Fri 6am-6pm) to Portsmouth, New Boston, Sciotoville, Wheelersburg, Lucasville, and weekly service to the rest of the county. Reduced senior fares. Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Call Access Scioto County at 740-353-5626 to schedule; request the reduced senior fare.

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