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What Benefits are Available and How Do I know if I’m Eligible?
Navigating government programs can be tricky. You’re tasked with not only researching what programs are available, but also whether or not you qualify for any of the benefits.
If you are an older adult or live in a household with limited income in northeast Indiana, this guide should help you answer the following:
What programs are available to meet my needs?
How do I know if I’m eligible for a program?
How do I enroll in a program if I’m eligible?
Let’s look at some of the key benefits available in Indiana:
Indiana Benefits for Older Adults and Households with Low Income
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is a federally funded program distributed by the state. In Indiana, it is referred to simply as the Energy Assistance Program (EAP).
The EAP provides a one-time annual benefit to assist low-income households with the high cost of home energy in the event the household is disconnected or about to be disconnected.
Eligibility for the EAP
To qualify for the EAP, a household must make 60 percent of the state median income or less. Income eligibility is based on the most recent three months of income.
The eligibility assessment is conducted by a local service provider. There are two providers you may need to contact depending on where you live in northeast Indiana:
Brightpoint facilitates this program in the following counties:
Allen
DeKalb
LaGrange
Noble
Steuben
Whitley
Community and Family Services facilitates this program in the following counties:
Adams
Huntington
Wells
This local service provider will also be responsible for facilitating benefits should the household be determined to be eligible.
How to Enroll in LIHEAP
If you are interested in this program or want to check your eligibility and get enrolled, visit the State of Indiana website and submit an application.
You can also reach out to the service provider above depending on which county you reside in. If you are in need of assistance completing the application, Just Call Us!
Medicare
Medicare is funded and distributed by the federal government.
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. It is split into four separate parts:
Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and home health care.
Part B helps cover services from doctors and other care providers.
Part C (also called a Medicare Advantage Plan) is an alternative to Medicare for health and drug coverage. These “bundled” plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D.
Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.
Eligibility for Medicare
Medicare is available to adults age 65 and older.
However, you may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or ALS.
Medicare Advantage Plans generally have their own set of eligibility criteria, so if you are interested in an advantage plan, make sure you look at the requirements to see if you qualify.
How to Enroll in Medicare
Generally, enrollment in Medicare Part A and B is automatic once you turn 65 years old. However, there are some exceptions, such as whether or not you receive social security benefits.
To enroll in a Medicare Part C or D plan, you can view a list of plans in your area and begin the enrollment process on the Medicare.gov website.
Medicaid
Not to be confused with Medicare, Medicaid is a federally funded program distributed by the state.
Medicaid is health insurance for individuals and households with low-income. It provides some additional coverage not offered by Medicare, such as nursing home care and personal care services.
Eligibility for Medicaid
Because Medicaid is distributed by the state, the eligibility requirements and benefits vary.
How to Enroll in Indiana Medicaid
Those interested in applying should visit the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration website to submit an application.
Indiana PathWays for Aging
The State of Indiana recently made several changes to Medicaid Waiver and how beneficiaries receive services through the program.
One of these changes was the creation of Indiana PathWays for Aging. This is the new Aged & Disabled Waiver, but specifically for Hoosiers age 60 and older.
PathWays beneficiaries receive the same benefits as they did under the Aged and Disabled Waiver, but the services are now provided through a care and service coordinator.
Just Call Us at AIHS to learn more about PathWays and determine if you are eligible to enroll.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
SHIP is a counseling service provided by the Indiana State Department of Insurance and the Administration for Community Living.
SHIP offers free, impartial information to help consumers make decisions regarding health insurance options related to Medicare. SHIP can assist consumers with the following and more:
Informing consumers of their rights as a Medicare beneficiary or other health insurance policyholder.
Help with applications for assistance programs that help pay for uncovered Medicare costs.
Refer clients to appropriate agencies where they can get help with other needs.
SHIP also facilitates help with medical costs and drug costs through Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help respectively.
Medicare Savings Program
A Medicare Savings Program will cover the cost of a qualifying individual’s Part B monthly premium.
These programs are for individuals and couples with low incomes and limited assets:
Extra Help
Extra Help pays the Medicare Part D monthly premium and reduces the cost of medicines to no more than $4.50-$11.20.
Individuals and households who qualify for a Medicare Savings Program automatically qualify for Extra Help. However, you can also qualify if you meet these income/asset limits:
Aging & In-Home Services is a certified SHIP Enrollment Center. If you are interested in learning more or enrolling in one of these programs, Just Call Us! 260-745-1200
If you do not live in northeast Indiana, contact SHIP to be connected to your nearest Enrollment Center. 800-452-4800
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP is a federal program that provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford nutritious food essential to health and well-being.
SNAP benefits are loaded on to a card and can be used at any participating store/market.
Eligibility for SNAP
To qualify for SNAP in Indiana, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Have residency in the State of Indiana
Be a U.S. citizen
Be registered to work
Additionally, the individual or household must meet the following financial criteria:
The asset limit for most households is $5,000.
The income limit is based on the household size.
How to Enroll in SNAP
If you are interested in receiving SNAP benefits, you can apply for the program online on the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration website.
If you prefer to enroll via phone, Just Call Us at AIHS. 260-745-1200
Where to Get Help with Benefits Enrollment
There are countless resources online offering more information about each of the benefits we discussed. If you are interested in learning more about any of these benefits, we encourage you to visit their websites to learn more:
If you have questions or need assistance with benefits enrollment, Just Call Us at Aging & In-Home Services!