Senior benefits in Horry County, South Carolina

The Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments (WRCOG) is the Area Agency on Aging for Georgetown, Horry, and Williamsburg counties, including Horry County. Its Information, Referral and Assistance hotline connects seniors and caregivers with services such as home care, meal programs, senior rides, insurance counseling, family caregiver help, and long-term care ombudsman help. Call the hotline at 843-436-2110.

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. Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council takes LIHEAP applications for Horry County at its Conway office at 1261 Highway 501 East. There are also offices in Loris (843-756-6562) and Myrtle Beach (843-626-7270). Call 843-234-4100 to ask about applying. Help depends on available funding.

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

Conway Medical Center in Conway offers financial assistance for medically necessary care. Under its policy, patients with gross family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level get a full 100% charity care discount, and those above 200% and below 301% can get a partial discount. Patients with no insurance who do not qualify get an automatic 60% discount on the bill. Financial counselors at the hospital can help with the application. Call 843-234-6726, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Coast RTA runs public buses in Horry and Georgetown counties. Its paratransit program is a curb-to-curb, shared-ride service for people who cannot ride a regular bus because of a disability, in areas of Horry County within three-quarters of a mile of a Coast RTA route. Riders must apply and be approved first, and a doctor must certify the disability on the application. Approved riders can also ride Coast RTA's regular bus routes for free with proper ID. Paratransit rides cost $2.00 each. Reservations are taken daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and must be made the day before. Call 843-488-0865.

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