Senior benefits in Fairfield County, South Carolina

The Central Midlands Council of Governments is the Area Agency on Aging for Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties, including Fairfield County. It plans and coordinates services that help seniors and people with disabilities stay in their homes — home-delivered meals, homemaker and personal care (after an assessment), family caregiver respite, Medicare counseling (SHIP), long-term care ombudsman help, legal referrals, and free advance directive forms. Call the information and referral specialist at 803-376-5390.

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

South Carolina's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and cooling bills. In Fairfield County, applications are taken by Carolina Community Actions, which serves Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Union and York counties. Households with an older or disabled member get priority. Call the Fairfield County office in Winnsboro at 803-635-3606, or start an application online; a staff member will contact you for an interview.

Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year

Fairfield County has no inpatient hospital. MUSC Health Fairfield Emergency & Imaging in Winnsboro offers 24-hour emergency care, and MUSC Health's financial assistance program covers emergency and medically necessary care at MUSC Health sites. MUSC Health's 2026 sliding scale shows a 100% discount for household income up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Call MUSC Health customer service at 800-598-0624 for help applying.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Fairfield County Transit System, a county department, runs Transit-Go, a curb-to-curb dial-a-ride service open to the public, plus a Winnsboro local route and the Killian Road Express that connects to COMET buses in Columbia. Transit-Go runs Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. One-way fares start at $2.00 inside Winnsboro city limits. Call 803-635-6177 and give 48 hours' notice.

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