Senior benefits in Florence County, South Carolina

Vantage Point, run by CareSouth Carolina, is the Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center for the Pee Dee region, which includes Florence County. It helps older adults and caregivers find services such as rides, group dining, home-delivered meals, home care, legal help, Medicare counseling, long-term care ombudsman help, and family caregiver support. Call 843-383-8632 or toll-free 866-505-3331 to get started.

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

The 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. Pee Dee Community Action Partnership takes LIHEAP applications for Florence County at its Florence office at 2685 South Irby Street. There is also a Lake City office (843-394-7440). Call 843-678-3400 to ask about applying. Help depends on available funding.

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

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Florence County can apply for financial assistance at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence. McLeod Health's policy summary says patients with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines can get up to 100% of charges reduced for emergency and other medically necessary care. Apply with the form on the McLeod Health website or through McLeod MyChart. Call 843-777-8550 with questions about applying.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority (PDRTA) runs public bus service in Florence County, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Riders who cannot use the bus because of a disability can apply for ADA paratransit within three-quarters of a mile of a bus route. To book a ride, call 843-665-2227, option 2, at least one day ahead (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). PDRTA does not run trips between counties.

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