Senior benefits in Atoka County, Oklahoma

The SODA Area Agency on Aging helps adults 60 and over, caregivers and people with disabilities in Atoka County and nine other southern Oklahoma counties. Services include free information and referral, hot meals at senior nutrition centers or delivered to homebound people, family caregiver support (education, respite care and support groups), a long-term care ombudsman for people in nursing homes and assisted living, and Medicare counseling (SHIP), fraud help (Senior Medicare Patrol) and help applying for Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs (MIPPA). The Masonic Grant Assistance Program helps low-income people 60 and older pay for eyeglasses, dental care, hearing aids and wheelchair ramps. Call SODA at 580-920-1388 or the Senior Information Line at 1-800-211-2116.

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

The Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS, often called DHS) office for Atoka County is at 801 S Greathouse Dr., Atoka, OK 74525. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and EBT cards are available there. You can also apply online any time at OKDHSLive.org. Staff can help with SNAP food benefits, SoonerCare (Medicaid) for people 65 or older or disabled, and energy help (LIHEAP). You can drop off a printed SNAP Request for Benefits form at a local office, and LIHEAP applicants can turn in proof there. For help applying, call 405-522-5050. To report abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult, call the hotline at 1-800-522-3511.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Atoka County Medical Center in Atoka has a Financial Assistance Policy for patients who have trouble paying their hospital bills. The policy is linked from the hospital's Patient Forms & Information page. To ask whether you qualify, how to apply and what papers to bring, call the hospital's billing specialists at 580-889-3333.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

JAMM Transit provides public transportation in Johnston, Atoka, Marshall and Murray Counties, including Atoka County. All services are open to the public. Call the JAMM Transit office in Tishomingo at 580-371-2352 to ask about routes, times and fares and to schedule a ride.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year