Senior benefits in Gilliam County, Oregon

The Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO) is the Area Agency on Aging for Gilliam County. Its goal is to help older adults and people with disabilities stay in their homes as long as possible. Services include group and home-delivered meals, rides, family caregiver support and respite, in-home help through Oregon Project Independence, options counseling, case management, money management, and Legal Aid referrals for people 60 and older. Call 541-276-1926 for more information, or call the ADRC of Oregon at 855-673-2372.

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

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) gives income-eligible households a one-time payment to their energy company to help with heating costs. In Gilliam County, energy help is run by the Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO). CAPECO is not taking new online energy applications right now, but you can make an appointment to apply in person, including if you have a shut-off notice. Payments go straight to the energy company and usually take 8 to 10 weeks after approval. Call the Hermiston office, which handles Morrow, Gilliam and Wheeler counties, at 541-289-7755 or 800-214-4776. Funds are limited.

Estimated bill savings: $250–$1,750 a year

CAPECO hands out free monthly senior food boxes in Gilliam County through the federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Each box has shelf-stable food such as milk, meat, peanut butter, rice, cereal, fruits and vegetables, picked up at a local distribution site. You qualify if you are at least 60 years old and your gross income is $1,995 or less a month for one person (higher for larger households). Apply online through CAPECO's food page or call CAPECO at 541-276-1926 (toll-free 800-752-1139). You can name an authorized representative to pick up your box.

Estimated cash: $240–$600 a year

Gilliam County has no hospital; the nearest is Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Heppner, run by Morrow County Health District. Morrow County Health District gives financial help for medically necessary care to people who are uninsured, underinsured or unable to pay. Patients with family income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level get free care, and those above 200% but less than 400% get a sliding-scale discount. No patient is denied care because they cannot pay. Call Patient Financial Services at 541-676-9135, or the Business Office at 541-676-9133 or 1-800-737-4113 for help with the application.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Gilliam County Transportation gives rides for medical visits, shopping and social outings to seniors (60 and older), people with disabilities and the general public. Rides are provided regardless of ability to pay, using ADA buses, minivans and vehicles for medically fragile riders. Service runs Monday to Friday and some weekends. Give appointment details as early as possible, ideally a week ahead. Call the dispatcher at 541-351-9545 or 1-800-568-4558.

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