Senior benefits in Lake County, Oregon

Klamath & Lake Counties Council on Aging (KLCCOA) is the Area Agency on Aging for Klamath and Lake counties. It helps older adults, caregivers, veterans and people with disabilities stay independent at home, with home-delivered meals and meal sites, caregiver support, Oregon Project Independence, Veteran Directed Care, home repair, and information and assistance with benefits, housing and transportation. The office is at 404 Main St., Suite 6, Klamath Falls. Call 541-205-5400. KLCCOA's 2025-2029 Area Plan says it has one full-time case manager in Lake County.

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

Klamath & Lake Community Action Services (KLCAS) helps households in Klamath and Lake counties with electricity, natural gas and bulk fuel (wood, propane, pellets or oil) bills. KLCAS mails application packets to senior and disabled households in late October and starts taking their applications November 1; everyone else can apply starting December 1. Complete applications are handled first come, first served, so apply early. Mail applications to 2316 South Sixth Street, Suite B, Klamath Falls, OR 97601. Call toll-free 866-665-6438 (or 541-882-3500).

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

Lake District Hospital in Lakeview offers free or discounted care for medically necessary services. Discounts are available to families with household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or whose Lake District Hospital bills are more than their yearly household income. Under Oregon law, the hospital screens patients for financial assistance before sending a bill, and an approval covers all medically necessary services for nine months. Call 541-947-2114 ext. 435 or 5130.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Help for veterans who need a home care worker. Through Veteran-Directed Care, a disabled veteran can have family or friends become their paid caregivers. It starts with a referral from the veteran's VA physician to the VA for authorization; once the VA sends the order, KLCCOA helps set everything up. Ask the veteran's VA care team about Veteran-Directed Care, or call KLCCOA at 541-205-5400.

KLCCOA helps eligible seniors with small home repairs and modifications that make their home safer — for example, building a wheelchair ramp or repairing a home heating system. Help depends on the resources KLCCOA has available. Call 541-205-5400 to ask whether you qualify.

SSVF helps veteran households in Lake County who have lost their housing or are at risk of losing it. A UCAN case worker meets with you one-on-one to look at your needs, make a plan, and help you get VA, Social Security and other benefits. Some households can get short-term money help to find or keep housing, depending on need. Single veterans can get help too. Call 541-956-4057 to make an appointment.

The Center in Lakeview (formerly Lake County Senior Center) helps arrange rides for Lake County residents of all ages — medical and non-medical trips, free of charge. Veterans can get free rides funded by the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, and Oregon Health Plan members can book non-emergency medical rides through its partnership with GOBHI. Give at least 48 hours' notice. Call 541-947-4966 to reserve a ride.

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