Senior benefits in Seneca County, Ohio

Seneca County emergency aid: (1) Seneca 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) Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) for HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis utility help; (3) Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging for senior case management, Title III meals, and PASSPORT enrollment (419-524-4144); (4) the county hospital FAP + Ohio HCAP for healthcare safety-net; (5) Catholic Charities / Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul; (6) regional food bank; (7) Ohio 2-1-1 for general referrals.

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

Ohio HEAP for Seneca County residents: Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Seneca 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

Seneca County hospital safety net: Seneca = Mercy Health Tiffin (Bon Secours Mercy) + ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital — two competing systems across the county. 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.mercy.com/patient-resources/billing-insurance/financial-assistance. Phone: 419-455-7000.

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

In this county: Seneca: Seneca = Mercy Health Tiffin (Bon Secours Mercy) + ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital — two competing systems across the county. 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 with complex, chronic medical needs who are at risk of nursing home placement. The veteran is approved for an annual budget and directs their own care: who provides services, what services are needed, and when. The budget can cover personal care, meals, respite care, care coordination, home modifications, safety goods, monitoring, nutrition, and transportation. Family caregivers — including family or friends the veteran chooses — can be paid for the care they provide. Apply through the Area Agency on Aging at 419-524-4144 (toll-free 800-860-5799).

Minor home repairs and modifications for older adults with mobility or safety concerns, to support staying in the home. Services can include furnace repairs, roof repairs, wheelchair ramps, and bathroom accessibility modifications. Apply through the Area Agency on Aging at 419-524-4144 (toll-free 800-860-5799).

Seneca County AAA = Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging (PSA 5, Ontario/Mansfield). 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 419-524-4144.

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

North Central Area Transit (NCAT, formerly Seneca-Crawford Area Transportation / SCAT; Tiffin) — door-to-door, curb-to-curb public transportation for Seneca and Crawford county residents for medical, banking, social, and shopping trips, including out-of-county. Reduced senior fares. Ohio counties operate independent transit systems — fare structure varies. Call NCAT at 419-617-7191 to schedule; request the reduced senior fare.

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