Senior benefits in Tuscarawas County, Ohio

Tuscarawas County emergency aid: (1) Tuscarawas 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 HARCATUS Tuscarawas County Energy Services office for HEAP, PIPP Plus, Winter Crisis and Summer Crisis utility help (330-343-8770); (3) Area Agency on Aging Region 9 for senior case management, Title III meals, and PASSPORT enrollment (1-800-945-4250); (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 Tuscarawas County residents: HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action Organization is the HEAP/PIPP+/Winter Crisis administering agency for Tuscarawas 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

Tuscarawas County hospital safety net: Tuscarawas = Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital (Dover) + Trinity Twin City (Dennison) — Cleveland Clinic vs Trinity in the New Philadelphia/Dover area. 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://my.clevelandclinic.org/locations/union-hospital. Phone: 330-343-3311.

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

In this county: Tuscarawas: Tuscarawas = Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital (Dover) + Trinity Twin City (Dennison) — Cleveland Clinic vs Trinity in the New Philadelphia/Dover area. 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 are at risk of going into a nursing home. The veteran is given a budget and chooses their own care providers and services, so they can stay at home and in the community instead. Family members, friends, and neighbors can be paid for the care they provide. Ask your VA medical center care team for a referral to Area Agency on Aging Region 9, or call the agency directly at 1-800-945-4250 or email info@aaa9.org.

Tuscarawas County AAA = Area Agency on Aging Region 9 (PSA 9, Cambridge). Services include: Title III Congregate + Home-Delivered Meals; OSHIIP (Medicare counseling); PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver enrollment + assessment; Caregiver Support and Education + Caregiver Respite; Ohio Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program; free Long-Term Care Consultation. Apply by calling the AAA at 1-800-945-4250.

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

Access Tusc Transit is the public transportation service for Tuscarawas County, with rides Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Riders age 60 or older, people with a permanent or temporary disability, veterans, and active-duty military pay half fare. Regular fares are $3 one way inside the Dover and New Philadelphia city limits and $4 one way elsewhere in Tuscarawas County, so the reduced fare is $1.50 or $2. To get the half fare, fill out the reduced fare application and return it with proof of age or disability. Once it is approved, the driver is told to charge you the reduced fare. Call 234-801-8007 to schedule a ride or ask about the application. Have exact fare or a pass; drivers do not make change.

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

In this county: The half fare starts only after Access Tusc approves your reduced fare application.