Senior benefits in Lamar County, Texas

Lamar County's energy bill help (CEAP) is run by Community Services of Northeast Texas (CSNT) through its Family Empowerment office in Mt. Pleasant. It helps pay home energy bills for low-income households with the highest energy needs; priority goes to older adults, people with disabilities and families with children under six. Household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Download the application at csntexas.org and mail it to CSNT, P.O. Box 427, Linden, TX 75563. Call 903-717-7400 (Family Empowerment), 903-756-5596 (main office) or the TDHCA CEAP line at 800-525-0657.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year

Lamar County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) TDHCA CEAP (800-525-0657); (2) ATCOG AAA (903-832-8636); (3) Lamar County CIHCP for healthcare (903-737-2425); (4) Catholic Charities of Dallas/Tyler; (5) Salvation Army Texarkana. Dial 211 for general referrals.

Estimated bill savings: $100–$1,800 a year

Help paying the monthly premium on a Health Insurance Marketplace plan. ATCOG runs the Premium Support Program with grant money from CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System for people who have enrolled through the Health Insurance Exchange. If you qualify, the program can cover your premium — the monthly amount charged for the coverage. To qualify you must enroll through the Health Insurance Exchange and choose a Silver plan, have income between 100% and 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, and be a Texas resident. Call ATCOG at 903-832-8636 for the application.

The Lamar County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61 for low-income residents. Eligibility: Lamar County resident age 18+; household income less than 21% of the Federal Poverty Level; not Medicaid-eligible. PRIMARY HOSPITAL: Paris Regional Health (Paris) — major regional referral hospital. CHRISTUS St. Michael Texarkana and Paris Regional Health are the major regional referral hospitals for the Ark-Tex region. Apply by calling Lamar County at 903-737-2425.

Estimated bill savings: $1,000–$18,000 a year

In this county: Lamar CIHCP at 21% FPL — very strict. Paris Regional Health (Paris) — major regional referral hospital.

ATCOG AAA serves Lamar County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers as part of its 9-county northeast Texas region. Services include Meals & Nutrition, Benefits Counseling for Medicare beneficiaries, Care Coordination, Caregiver Support, Information & Assistance, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Senior Centers and Transportation. Call the AAA toll-free at 1-800-372-4464, or ATCOG's main office at 903-832-8636. Office: 4808 Elizabeth Street, Texarkana TX 75503.

Estimated service value: $1,200–$4,500 a year

Public transit in Lamar County is provided through ATCOG's rural transit district (demand-response) plus TRAX (Texarkana Urban Transit District) for the Texarkana urban area. Demand-response service requires advance reservation. Senior fares are reduced. Apply through ATCOG at 903-832-8636.

Estimated service value: $100–$1,500 a year

Riders age 60 and over ride the Paris Metro city bus free. So do people with disabilities. Everyone else pays 50 cents a ride or $30 a month. Buses run around the City of Paris weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To ride free you need an ID card, which the Paris Metro/TRAX office at 1610 Clarksville St issues when you bring proof of your age or disability. If you cannot use the regular bus because of a physical or mental condition, ATCOG also runs door-to-door ADA paratransit at $1.00 a trip — that one needs a referral from your doctor.

Estimated service value: $52–$360 a year

In this county: The free fare is on the fixed-route city bus inside Paris only, on weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with no service on public holidays. You must carry the ID card the Paris Metro/TRAX office issues. ADA paratransit is a separate service, still costs $1.00 a trip, and requires a physician referral and ADA eligibility.