Senior benefits in Weakley County, Tennessee

The Northwest Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability serves older adults age 60 and older, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers in Weakley County. Services include congregate and home-delivered meals, family caregiver support and respite, SHIP Medicare counseling, options counseling for long-term care, the long-term care ombudsman, the OPTIONS in-home services program, and public guardianship. Call the Information and Assistance line to learn what is available locally.

Estimated service value: $1,000–$6,000 a year

Tennessee's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and cooling costs for income-eligible households. In Weakley County, LIHEAP is delivered by Northwest Tennessee Human Resource Agency (NWTHRA). Households with an older adult (60+) or a person with a disability get priority. Apply through Northwest Tennessee Human Resource Agency, and call 2-1-1 Tennessee for referral help. Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) administers the program statewide.

Estimated bill savings: $174–$750 a year

West Tennessee Healthcare Volunteer Hospital in Martin serves Weakley County. The hospital offers financial assistance (charity care) and uninsured discounts for emergency and other medically necessary care to patients who cannot afford to pay. Apply using the system's financial assistance application and call the financial assistance line at 731-541-8730 for help.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Free civil legal help for people age 60 and older, delivered by West Tennessee Legal Services under the Northwest Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability. The AAAD lists legal advice, representation and education in matters such as food stamps, Social Security, SSI, TennCare, nursing home care and access, boarding homes, federally subsidized housing, utilities, age discrimination, cases involving the immediate risk of losing housing, adult abuse, neglect and exploitation, and medical collection actions that threaten access to health care. It also helps prepare health care power of attorney and living will documents for older adults who are homebound, living in a care facility, or terminally ill. Weakley County is in the nine-county Northwest Tennessee region. Call West Tennessee Legal Services toll-free at 800-372-8346 (Jackson office 731-423-0616) for an appointment, or the AAAD at 731-587-4213.

Northwest Tennessee Human Resource Agency runs public transportation for residents of all ages in Weakley County and the other Northwest Tennessee counties. Rides can be used for medical trips, shopping and school. Service runs Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with limited Saturday service. One-way fares are $1 in town and $3 in the county, up to $20 to Memphis or Nashville; care attendants ride free. Call 1-877-557-4337 to reserve a ride, ideally at least five days ahead.

Estimated service value: $200–$1,500 a year