Senior benefits in Umatilla County, Oregon

The Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO) is the Area Agency on Aging for Umatilla 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 Umatilla 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 Pendleton office at 541-276-1926 or 800-752-1139, or the Hermiston office 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 Umatilla 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

St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton, part of CommonSpirit Health, helps uninsured and underinsured patients pay for medically necessary hospital care. With family income up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may get a 100% discount. The discount is 75% from 201% to 300%, 50% from 301% to 350%, and from 351% to 400% your bill is reduced to the amount insurers generally pay. You must complete an application with proof of income, though some patients qualify without one. Call CommonSpirit Health Financial Assistance at 866-221-0461.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Kayak Public Transit, run by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, is a rural regional bus system for northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. It runs fixed routes, including the HART bus in Hermiston and a Milton-Freewater route, plus commuter buses. All bus service is free to the general public. Buses do not run on Sundays. Call 541-429-7519 for schedules.

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