Senior benefits in Garvin County, Oklahoma

The SODA Area Agency on Aging helps adults 60 and over, caregivers and people with disabilities in Garvin 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 Garvin County is at 2304 US-77, Pauls Valley, OK 73075. 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

Lindsay Municipal Hospital in Lindsay has a Financial Assistance Program for hospital bills. Fill out the Financial Assistance Application and return it within 14 days with your most recent federal tax return (or W-2s, 1099s or pay stubs if you did not file), proof of any Medicare or Medicaid benefits (including food stamps), copies of all bank statements for the past three months, and a written letter explaining your hardship. The hospital will send you a letter with its decision, usually within ten business days. Financial assistance covers hospital bills only, not separate physician, radiology or ambulance bills. The hospital also offers discounts for paying a balance in full or setting up automatic payments. Call 405-756-1404, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Delta Public Transit provides demand-response (call-ahead) public transportation to residents of McClain, Garvin and southern Cleveland Counties. All services are open to the public. Call the Delta Public Transit office in Lindsay at 405-756-1100 to schedule a ride and ask about fares.

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