Senior benefits in Charleston County, South Carolina
Seniors living in Charleston County, South Carolina have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, housing costs, food, energy bills, and more. The Trident Area Agency on Aging is a key local resource and a good starting point for finding help. Local programs also include Hospital Financial Assistance through MUSC Medical Center, energy bill help through the Palmetto Community Action Partnership's LIHEAP program, and transportation options through CARTA OnDemand's Senior Rideshare and Paratransit service. At the state level, programs like Healthy Connections Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, the Homestead Exemption, and the Community Choices Waiver may be available depending on your situation. Dozens of federal programs also apply here, covering everything from food assistance to veterans' benefits. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final decision on eligibility.
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Local programs
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South Carolina programs
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Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · October 12, 2026
Local starting point
Trident Area Agency on Aging
1-843-554-2275
See which of these Charleston County programs you may qualify for.
Discover my benefitsHelping others? Print the Charleston County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Charleston County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Charleston County. Start here.
Elder Services in Charleston County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Trident Area Agency on Aging) — Charleston
County · South CarolinaTrident Area Agency on Aging is the state-designated Area Agency on Aging for Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, including Charleston County, and serves as the area's Aging and Disability Resource Center. It arranges home-delivered meals, home care, group dining, rides to programs, health promotion, and legal services, plus Medicare counseling, family caregiver support, and long-term care ombudsman help. Call 843-554-2275 or toll-free 1-800-894-0415.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Charleston County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $300–$1,000 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Palmetto Community Action Partnership) — Charleston
County · South CarolinaThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households with home heating and cooling costs. In South Carolina it is run by the Office of Economic Opportunity through local Community Action Agencies. Palmetto Community Action Partnership takes LIHEAP applications for Charleston County at its Charleston office at 1069 King Street. Call 843-724-6760 to ask about applying. Help depends on available funding.
Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Charleston County
Hospital Financial Assistance (MUSC Medical Center) — Charleston
County · South CarolinaUninsured and insured residents of Charleston County can apply for financial assistance at MUSC Medical Center in Charleston. MUSC Health's 2026 financial assistance sliding scale gives a 100% discount to households with income up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Send the signed application and income papers to the MUSC Health Single Billing Office. Call customer service at 843-792-2311 or 800-598-0624, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Charleston County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Senior Rideshare & Paratransit (CARTA OnDemand) — Charleston
County · South CarolinaCARTA OnDemand gives seniors 60 and older discounted Uber or Lyft rides within CARTA's bus service area in the Charleston area. Approved seniors get four ride vouchers a week, pay a $5 initial fare, and get up to a $14 discount per trip. A smartphone with an Uber or Lyft account is needed. People with disabilities can apply for CARTA's Tel-A-Ride paratransit instead. Call 843-529-6284 with questions.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Charleston County
Who runs the county programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.
Trident Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Trident Area Agency on Aging)
Palmetto Community Action Partnership
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Palmetto Community Action Partnership)
MUSC Medical Center (MUSC Health)
Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA)
South Carolina and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Charleston County and across the rest of South Carolina. Full details are on the South Carolina benefits page.
Money & income3 programs
Cash paid to you, and emergency help when money runs short.
Health & Medicare costs7 programs
Medicaid, Medicare savings, and help with drug and doctor bills.
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI)
- Healthy Connections Medicaid for people 65+, blind, or disabled (ABD)
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)
- Qualifying Individual (QI)
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Food6 programs
SNAP (food stamps), meals, and farmers market coupons.
Home, bills & taxes8 programs
Help with heating and electric bills, rent, property taxes, and home repairs.
- LIHEAP energy assistance (South Carolina)
- Homestead Exemption (property tax, 65+, disabled, or blind)
- South Carolina income tax: age 65 and older deduction and retirement income deduction
- Federal Lifeline
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Care at home & long-term care3 programs
Help staying in your home, nursing home alternatives, and support for family caregivers.
Help, advice & legal5 programs
Free counseling, legal help, rides, and other senior services.
Veterans3 programs
Benefits for veterans and their surviving spouses.
Nearby counties
Local programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.