Senior benefits in Wasco County, Oregon

The Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO) is the Area Agency on Aging for Wasco 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. CAPECO's office at 3641 Klindt Dr in The Dalles provides senior services to Hood River, Sherman and Wasco counties. 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) helps pay home heating and electric bills. In Wasco County, energy help is run by Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), which serves Wasco, Sherman and Hood River counties. The amount depends on household income, size and heating type, and help can go toward electricity, natural gas, wood, propane or heating oil. For winter heating help, MCCAC says to call starting October 1, 2026 for an appointment; appointments start November 2 for households with a senior or disabled member and December 1 for everyone else. Call the The Dalles office at 541-298-5131, ext. 206. Help depends on available funds.

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

Adventist Health Columbia Gorge in The Dalles, formerly Mid-Columbia Medical Center, offers financial assistance based on family size and income for patients who do not qualify for a government program. Under Adventist Health's policy for its Oregon hospitals, household income at 300% of the Federal Poverty Level or less means no charge (full charity) for emergency and medically necessary care, and income from 301% to 400% gets a discount. Staff can also help you apply for Medicaid and set up a payment plan. Call the financial assistance team at 844-827-5047.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The Link Public Transit serves Wasco County and is open to everyone. Its door-to-door Dial-a-Ride picks up riders in The Dalles, Dufur, Mosier, Celilo and points between in unincorporated Wasco County for $2 each way. The Link also runs deviated fixed routes in The Dalles for $1 a ride, a shopping bus, a Tuesday South County Shuttle from Maupin, Tygh Valley and Dufur, and a shuttle to Hood River. Buses are lift-equipped for wheelchairs. Rides can be booked 1 to 30 days ahead; call at least 24 hours ahead at 541-296-7595.

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