Senior benefits in Tillamook County, Oregon

NorthWest Senior and Disability Services (NWSDS) is the Area Agency on Aging for Tillamook County. It helps older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers with Medicaid and Oregon Health Plan, Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare counseling, in-home help and Oregon Project Independence, meals, family caregiver support, and options counseling. Call the Tillamook office at 503-842-2770 (toll-free 800-584-9712) or visit 5010 3rd St., Tillamook.

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

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and electric bills for electricity, natural gas, oil, pellets, propane, and wood, and can help with furnace repair or replacement. Community Action Team (CAT) runs the program for Columbia, Clatsop, and Tillamook Counties. Tillamook County CARE takes applications for Tillamook County. Households with income at or below 60% of Oregon's state median income can apply. Contact Tillamook County CARE, 2310 First Street, Suite 2, Tillamook, at 503-842-5261. Help depends on available funds; CAT keeps a winter mailing list when regular LIHEAP is closed.

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

Adventist Health Tillamook helps patients who have trouble paying their medical bills. If you do not qualify for a government program such as Medicaid, you may qualify for financial assistance based on family size and income. Apply while you are getting care or call the financial assistance team at 844-827-5047. Payment plans are also available at 800-593-1551.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Tillamook County Transportation District's Dial-a-Ride is a door-to-door shared-ride service open to everyone throughout Tillamook County, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Seniors 60 and older and people with disabilities pay a reduced fare of $2.00 for the first 5 miles, then $0.50 per additional mile. Call the TCTD call center at 503-815-8283 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.); rides can be booked up to two weeks ahead.

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