Senior benefits in Muskogee County, Oklahoma

The Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD) Area Agency on Aging serves people 60 and older in Muskogee County and six nearby counties. It offers information and assistance, outreach to connect seniors with in-home help, senior meals at nutrition centers or home-delivered meals for homebound people, rides to meal sites, doctor visits and shopping, family caregiver help, and the long-term care ombudsman. Free legal help for people 60 and over comes through Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma. Call EODD at 918-682-7891.

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

The Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) office for Muskogee County is at 311 Court Street, Muskogee. It is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and EBT cards are available there. Oklahoma Human Services takes applications for SNAP food benefits, SoonerCare (Medicaid) for people 65 or older or with a disability, and LIHEAP energy help. You can also apply online at OKDHS Live. For help applying, call 405-522-5050. To report abuse or neglect of an older or disabled adult, call the Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-522-3511.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, part of Saint Francis Health System, offers financial assistance to patients who cannot pay their hospital bill. Under the Saint Francis policy, uninsured or underinsured patients with family income up to 250% of the federal poverty level may get a 100% discount on eligible hospital services. Income from 251% to 300% may get an 80% discount, and 301% to 400% may get a 70% discount. Fill out the Financial Assistance Application with proof of income. For questions or help with the application, call the Financial Counselors at 918-494-6500.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Muskogee County Transit (MCT) is open to the public and uses wheelchair-accessible buses and vans. City fixed routes in Muskogee run Monday to Friday, 9:00am until 4:00pm, and the fare is $2.00 each ride. Curb-to-curb demand response rides cost $4.00 each ride; call at least 3 days in advance. County service brings riders from Braggs, Fort Gibson, Webbers Falls, Porum, Warner, Haskell, Boynton, Taft, Oktaha and other towns into Muskogee on set days for $2.00. MCT also runs paratransit for people whose disability keeps them from using the bus. Call 918-682-1721.

Estimated service value: $50–$1,000 a year

In this county: Open to the public. Fares, routes and hours are set by Muskogee County Transit and may change.