Senior benefits in Wagoner County, Oklahoma

The Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD) Area Agency on Aging serves people 60 and older in Wagoner 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 Wagoner County is at 102 NE 7th St., Wagoner, OK 74467. 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

Wagoner Community Hospital has a Financial Assistance Program (FAP). Ask the hospital's on-site Business Office for an application by phone or in person, or download it from the hospital website. For help filling it out, call 918-485-1306 for an appointment and leave a message if no one answers. Bring proof of income (such as a Social Security award letter), last year's tax return, a list of your assets, proof of debts with monthly payments, and proof of monthly expenses like rent, food, insurance and utilities. The CEO or CFO reviews each application; allow 60 days for a decision.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Charity care is set by the hospital's financial assistance program; not everyone will qualify and the hospital makes the final decision.

KI BOIS Area Transit System (KATS), run by KI BOIS Community Action, is a rural public transit service open to the public in Wagoner County and 11 other eastern Oklahoma counties. It gives curb-to-curb rides, or door-to-door rides for special needs, in vehicles built to carry people with disabilities. KATS helps senior citizens live more independently with safe, dependable rides. Rides are based on availability, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To ask about a ride, call the Wagoner KATS office at 918-485-0059 and the Coweta KATS office at 918-486-1783. A ride costs $1.00 per stop for adults. One-way trips to nearby communities cost $2.00 to $4.00.

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