Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: April 29, 2026
Bottom line: Winston-Salem seniors should start with Forsyth County Department of Social Services, NC 211, and Senior Services, Inc. These three places can point you to food, Medicaid, Medicare counseling, utility help, repairs, rides, and emergency aid. Most help is a direct service or bill payment, not cash.
Local need is real. The Forsyth County data from the U.S. Census Bureau lists 398,143 residents in 2024, with 17.7% age 65 or older, median gross rent of $1,098, and 13.3% of residents in poverty. Those numbers help explain why waitlists and limited funds are common.
If you need urgent help today
Call 911 if you are in danger, cannot stay safely in your home, or have a medical emergency. Call or text 988 for a mental health crisis. If you are behind on rent, facing a utility shutoff, out of food, or unsure where to go, call 2-1-1 first. The NC 211 service can search local help by ZIP code and need.
| Need | Best first step | Why this helps |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | Call 911 | Police, fire, or medical help can respond. |
| Mental health crisis | Call or text 988 | A trained crisis counselor can answer 24/7. |
| Food, rent, utilities | Call NC 211 | They can search current local openings. |
| Elder abuse | Call DSS or 911 | Adult Protective Services can review safety concerns. |
| Eviction risk | Call legal help early | Deadlines can move fast after court papers arrive. |
Reality check: Emergency aid is often tied to proof. Keep the shutoff notice, eviction paper, rent ledger, medicine list, or doctor note. A phone call without documents may only get you a referral.
Quick start: who to contact first
Many seniors lose time calling the wrong office. Use this table to pick the first call. If one place says no, ask where to try next before you hang up.
| What you need | Start here | Ask for | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicaid, SNAP, energy help | Forsyth County DSS | Applications and document list | Phone lines can be busy. |
| Meals or senior support | Senior Services | Help Line or Meals-on-Wheels | Meal routes may have waits. |
| Rent or utility crisis | Crisis Control | Client Services interview | They will ask what caused the crisis. |
| Medicare plan costs | SHIIP | Free Medicare counseling | Call early near open enrollment. |
| Unsafe home repairs | Forsyth housing rehab | Repair intake and rules | Owner, tax, and insurance rules apply. |
| Affordable apartment help | ASPIRE | Waitlist and housing options | Lists may be closed. |
Key local contacts in Winston-Salem
Forsyth County Department of Social Services
Use the Forsyth DSS listing for Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, Low Income Energy Assistance Program, Crisis Intervention Program, Adult Protective Services, and some ride help tied to Medicaid. The office is at 741 North Highland Avenue in Winston-Salem. The main phone number is 336-703-3800.
Who may qualify: Seniors with low income, limited resources, high medical costs, housing costs, utility problems, or care needs may be screened for one or more programs.
Where to apply: You can use NC ePASS for some benefits, or you can contact DSS and ask how to apply by phone, mail, drop-off, or in person.
Reality check: Do not wait until every document is perfect. For SNAP, North Carolina says benefits can start from the date the application is submitted if approved.
Piedmont Triad Area Agency on Aging
The Piedmont Triad AAA serves Forsyth County and nearby counties. It helps plan and support aging services, caregiver support, long-term care advocacy, and local referrals for older adults.
Reality check: The Area Agency on Aging may not pay your bill directly. It is often a referral and planning office.
Senior Services, Inc.
Senior Services, Inc. is a major local nonprofit for older adults in Forsyth County. Its Meals-on-Wheels page says Forsyth County residents age 60 and older who are homebound and unable to get or prepare food may qualify, though some areas may have a waiting list. The Help Line is 336-724-2040.
What it helps with: Meals, adult day services, home care, senior lunch, caregiver support, and referrals. Call the Help Line and say what daily task is hard for you.
Reality check: Meals and home care slots depend on staffing, routes, and funds.
Housing, rent, and property tax help
Rent crisis and eviction help
If you have a court date, eviction paper, or late rent notice, act quickly. The City of Winston-Salem lists local eviction help resources such as Coordinated Intake, Crisis Control Ministry, Forsyth DSS, Experiment in Self-Reliance, Financial Pathways, and other local groups.
What it helps with: Some groups may offer rent, mortgage, utility, food, legal, or housing counseling help when funds are open.
Who may qualify: Rules vary. Most groups ask for proof of crisis, income, rent owed, ID, and landlord information.
Where to apply: Call the listed agency before visiting. Ask if your ZIP code, age, income, or crisis type fits. A pending eviction is time-sensitive, so call several programs and save notes.
Crisis Control Ministry
The Crisis Control checklist says it provides short-term emergency assistance to residents of Forsyth and Stokes Counties for rent or mortgage, utilities, food, and medication when there is a crisis. Winston-Salem Client Services can be reached at 336-724-7453.
Who may qualify: You must show a crisis that was out of your control and show that income or expenses can return to normal soon.
Where to apply: Call first for a phone or in-person interview. Some ZIP codes are routed to another ministry first.
Affordable housing and vouchers
ASPIRE Winston-Salem, formerly the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem, is the main local housing authority for safe and affordable housing in the city. It handles public housing, voucher-related services, and applicant information.
Who may qualify: Low-income renters, older adults, people with disabilities, and families may qualify if a list is open and they meet program rules. You can also use the HUD PHA list to find nearby housing authorities.
Reality check: Voucher and public housing waitlists can close. Keep your contact information current with every housing office.
Property tax relief
The Forsyth tax page lists North Carolina property tax relief options for some homeowners age 65 or older, some totally and permanently disabled homeowners, and some disabled veterans or surviving spouses. For 2026, Forsyth County lists a June 1 application deadline and a $38,800 income limit for the elderly or disabled exclusion and the first Circuit Breaker tier.
What it helps with: The elderly or disabled exclusion can reduce taxable home value. The Circuit Breaker can defer part of the tax bill. File Form AV-9 with Forsyth County Tax Administration or call 336-703-2300.
Reality check: A deferment is not the same as forgiveness. Under the Circuit Breaker, deferred taxes can become due after a sale, move, or other disqualifying event.
Utility, heating, cooling, phone, and internet help
Low Income Energy Assistance Program
The LIEAP page says the program provides a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay heating bills. Households with a person age 60 or older, or a disabled person receiving services through the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services, have an early application window from December 1 through December 31. Other households can apply from January 1 through March 31, or until funds run out.
Who may qualify: You must meet income rules, be responsible for heating costs, and meet citizenship or qualified non-citizen rules for at least one household member.
Where to apply: Contact Forsyth County DSS or use NC ePASS during the open season. Keep your heating account number and vendor name ready.
Crisis Intervention Program
The CIP page says the Crisis Intervention Program helps with a heating or cooling-related crisis. Applications run each year from July 1 through June 30, or until the county allocation is used.
Who may qualify: You must have an energy-related crisis, meet the income test, and have a utility statement showing what is owed. NC DHHS lists a $4,500 resource limit for households with a member age 60 or older or disabled, and $3,000 for others.
Where to apply: Apply through Forsyth County DSS. Tell DSS if heat, cooling, oxygen, medical devices, or health risks are involved.
Phone and internet discount
The federal Lifeline program can lower the cost of phone or internet service for eligible low-income households. The standard discount is up to $9.25 per month, with a higher discount on qualifying Tribal lands.
Who may qualify: People who meet income rules or take part in programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or some veterans benefits may qualify.
Where to apply: Apply through the Lifeline National Verifier and then choose a participating company. The Affordable Connectivity Program stopped giving most benefits in 2024.
Health care, Medicare, Medicaid, and in-home care
SHIIP Medicare counseling
Call NC SHIIP at 1-855-408-1212 for free Medicare counseling. SHIIP helps people with Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Part D drug plans, long-term care insurance, billing errors, and Medicare fraud concerns.
Who may qualify: Any Medicare beneficiary, caregiver, or person close to Medicare age can ask for help. SHIIP does not sell plans.
Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs
Low-income seniors may be able to get NC Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program, or both. If you already have Medicare, ask DSS to screen you for programs that may help with the Part B premium, copays, and drug costs. Our NC Medicare savings guide gives more detail on these programs.
Who may qualify: Eligibility depends on income, assets, household size, disability status, and the type of Medicaid help requested.
Where to apply: Use NC ePASS or contact Forsyth DSS.
Reality check: Medicaid notices can be hard to read. Open all mail, save envelopes, and call before the deadline if you do not understand a request.
In-home care programs
Personal Care Services can help eligible NC Medicaid members with daily tasks like eating, dressing, bathing, using the bathroom, and moving around. CAP/DA services can help medically fragile adults stay in a home or community setting instead of entering an institution. PACE care is a managed care program for older adults with a team-based model, if the person lives in a PACE service area.
Who may qualify: These programs usually require Medicaid and a functional or medical need. CAP/DA also requires a level of care review and may have a waitlist. A doctor note helps, but it does not guarantee approval.
Dental and medical bill help
Dental care is often the hardest gap for older adults. Start with local clinics, Dental Lifeline Network, and the resources in our NC dental grants guide. For larger health bills, see our medical bill help guide before you agree to a payment plan you cannot afford.
Reality check: Free dental programs can close applications or keep long waitlists. If you have pain, swelling, fever, or trouble swallowing, seek urgent medical or dental care.
Food, meals, and grocery help
Food and Nutrition Services
North Carolina’s FNS program, also called SNAP, helps eligible people with limited income buy food. Benefits go on an Electronic Benefit Transfer card. Seniors should report medical costs because deductions may help the benefit calculation.
Who may qualify: NC DHHS says eligibility is based on income, household size, assets, and other factors. Seniors, people with disabilities, people receiving SSI, and people with low wages may qualify.
Where to apply: Use NC ePASS, apply at DSS, or ask DSS for a paper application.
Reality check: If approved, the benefit amount depends on several factors. Most households do not get the maximum amount.
Meals and food pantries
Senior Services can screen homebound older adults for Meals-on-Wheels. Food pantries can help while SNAP is pending. For a broad list of programs, use the related North Carolina guide below.
Where to apply: Call Senior Services at 336-724-2040, call NC 211, or ask your church, clinic, or senior center for local pantry times.
Reality check: Pantry hours change. Call before you go, especially if you need delivery or a special diet.
Home repairs, ramps, and safer housing
Unsafe steps, broken heat, bad plumbing, roof leaks, and missing ramps can make a home unsafe fast. Forsyth County lists several repair programs on its housing rehab page. The county says its Urgent Repair Program is available to all Forsyth County residents and is designed for very low-income households with a qualifying need, including elderly, disabled, veteran, large, and single-parent households.
The state Urgent Repair Program for 2026-2027 is designed for emergency repairs and modifications to very low-income, owner-occupied homes. NCHFA says the program can provide deferred, forgiven loans of up to $15,000 through recipient organizations.
Where to apply: Contact Forsyth County Community and Economic Development at 336-703-2680. Repairs are not instant. There may be inspections, contractor bids, title checks, and program cycles.
For a broader list of repair paths, see our home repair grants guide.
Transportation and rides
Rides are often the missing link between getting approved and using the help. The Trans-AID service from Winston-Salem Transit Authority is a shared-ride service for eligible older adults and people with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route buses. WSTA lists 336-727-2000 for Trans-AID information.
Who may qualify: Older adults or people with a disability that prevents fixed-route bus use may qualify after a review. Book early and ask about pickup windows, cancellations, and no-show rules.
If you have Medicaid and need a ride to covered care, ask Forsyth DSS about Medicaid transportation. Our senior transportation help guide covers more ride options.
Documents to gather before you apply
You do not need every paper before you call. But having these ready can make the second call easier.
| Document | Why it matters | Common programs |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Shows identity | DSS, housing, repairs |
| Social Security number | Used for benefit checks | SNAP, Medicaid, energy help |
| Proof of income | Shows monthly money | Most programs |
| Bank statements | Shows resources | Medicaid, energy help |
| Rent or mortgage proof | Shows housing cost | Rent aid, SNAP, housing |
| Utility bill | Shows account and amount owed | LIEAP, CIP, charities |
| Medical bills | May raise SNAP or Medicaid help | SNAP, Medicaid |
| Repair photos | Shows safety need | Home repair programs |
| Court or shutoff papers | Shows emergency deadline | Rent, utility, legal help |
Phone scripts you can use
Use short, clear words. Say the deadline first. Write down the name of the person you speak with, the date, and what they told you.
| Call | Script |
|---|---|
| DSS benefits | “I am 65 or older and live in Forsyth County. I need help applying for Medicaid, SNAP, and energy help. What is the fastest way to apply, and what papers should I send first?” |
| Utility crisis | “My power or heat is at risk. I have a bill and a deadline. I need to ask about CIP and any local emergency help. Can you tell me the next step today?” |
| Home repair | “I own and live in my home. I am a senior and have a safety repair problem. Can you screen me for urgent repair, ramp, weatherization, or rehab help?” |
| Housing waitlist | “I am a senior on a fixed income. Are any affordable housing, public housing, or voucher lists open? If not, when should I check again?” |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for perfect paperwork: Ask if you can submit now and add papers later.
- Calling only one place: Rent, utilities, food, and repairs may each use different funds.
- Ignoring mail: Benefit offices may close a case if you miss a letter or deadline.
- Paying for forms: Real benefit applications do not need paid “grant” services.
- Using long stories first: Start with age, county, need, deadline, and what proof you have.
What to do if you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
Ask for the reason in writing. Ask what deadline applies if you want to appeal or send more documents. If the issue is Medicaid, SNAP, housing, debt, abuse, or eviction, the Senior Law Project from Legal Aid of North Carolina may be able to help eligible seniors.
Call NC 211 and say, “I was denied or delayed. Can you help me find another program for the same need?” Also call the agency back and ask, “Is there a supervisor, appeal form, or document I should submit?”
Reality check: A denial from one program does not mean you cannot get any help. It may mean the program is out of money, you missed a document, or your need fits a different program.
Resumen en español
Si usted es una persona mayor en Winston-Salem y necesita ayuda, empiece con el Departamento de Servicios Sociales del Condado de Forsyth, NC 211 y Senior Services, Inc. Puede preguntar por ayuda con comida, Medicaid, Medicare, renta, servicios de luz o calefacción, reparaciones del hogar y transporte.
Tenga a mano su identificación, comprobante de ingresos, factura de servicios, contrato de renta o hipoteca, cartas médicas y cualquier aviso de corte o desalojo. Si tiene una emergencia, llame al 911. Si tiene una crisis de salud mental, llame o mande texto al 988.
Frequently asked questions
Where should Winston-Salem seniors start first?
Start with Forsyth County DSS for Medicaid, SNAP, and energy help; NC 211 for local referrals; and Senior Services for meals and aging support.
Is there a real cash grant for seniors?
Most programs do not hand out cash. Help often comes as a utility payment, rent payment, food benefit, home repair loan, tax relief, meal delivery, ride, or medical support.
Can seniors get help with electric bills?
Yes. LIEAP may help with heating bills during the season. CIP may help with a heating or cooling crisis. Local charities may also help if funds are open and you can show a crisis.
Can I get home repairs paid for?
Maybe. Forsyth County and state repair programs may help with urgent safety repairs, ramps, heating, roofs, plumbing, or code issues. You usually must own and live in the home and meet income rules.
What if the housing waitlist is closed?
Check other housing authorities near Forsyth County, ask ASPIRE when to check again, call NC 211 for local options, and keep your contact information current with every list you join.
Who can help with Medicare choices?
NC SHIIP gives free Medicare counseling. Counselors do not sell plans. They can help compare Medicare Advantage, drug plans, Medigap, savings programs, and fraud concerns.
Can I get rides to medical visits?
If you have Medicaid, ask Forsyth DSS about Medicaid transportation. If you cannot use regular buses, ask WSTA about Trans-AID eligibility and how far ahead to book rides.
What should I do after a denial?
Ask for the denial reason in writing, check the appeal deadline, send missing documents fast, and call Legal Aid or NC 211 if you need help with benefits, housing, or health coverage.
About this guide
We check this guide against official government, local agency, and trusted nonprofit sources. GrantsForSeniors.org is independent and is not a government agency.
Program rules, funding, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply.
See something wrong or outdated? Email info@grantsforseniors.org.
Last updated: April 29, 2026
Next review: August 1, 2026
Choose your state to see senior assistance programs, benefits, and local help options.
About the Authors