Grants for Seniors in Missouri

Last Updated on March 28, 2024 by Rachel

Key Senior Statistics in Missouri (60 and over)
Senior Population: 1,542,945 (25.0%) Senior Population: 1,542,945 (25.0%)
Male: 45.8% Male: 45.8%
Female: 54.2% Female: 54.2%
Median Age: 70 Median Age: 70
Disability: 31% Disability: 31%
With Social Security Income: 75% With Social Security Income: 75%
With Food Stamp/SNAP Benefits: 8% With Food Stamp/SNAP Benefits: 8%
Below 100% of the Poverty Level: 12% Below 100% of the Poverty Level: 12%
Data Source: Data Source:
Data is taken from American Community Survey 2022. Please check our detailed page about Senior Statistics in Missouri for more data and information.

Help for Seniors in Missouri – 25 Assistance Programs

Missouri has been known for its beautiful landscapes, good weather, and secure conditions. It is one of the most preferable states by the elderly. According to NewHomeSource, it has the most amazing living conditions with its ten towns for seniors. The cost of living in this state is much lower than the national average considering housing expenses and tax-friendly services. Even though it presents a good deal of opportunity, older people may need help to live in peace and health. Thus, the federal government, state officials, and local charity-based organizations offer a broad range of programs and benefits for seniors.


State Resources for Seniors

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is charged with the welfare of older residents in the state. The department runs a variety of programs designed to assist senior living and make life better for the elderly. Links to valuable resources are also provided, which help seniors get access to the necessary assistance they may require at any point in time. Seniors can get referrals to relevant programs as well, helping them get necessary help as fast as possible. These resources are hosted at https://health.mo.gov/seniors/.

Financial Assistance

Salvation Army of Missouri is a very effective charity-based establishment across the state. People who are in emergency financial need can consult this organization. This cash support is basically for applicants to afford their rent, utilities, or other sorts of emergency expenses. Low-income seniors are prioritized by the Salvation Army. Hence, it is better to apply as soon as possible. To learn more, please go to https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/mokan/ or contact 620 225 4871/316 321 4070. Apart from the Salvation Army, there are many other non-profit organizations and charities focused on helping seniors in the country.

The Masonic Home of Missouri runs a program that provides long-term financial assistance to help seniors in the state cover their living costs. The program is open to seniors who live at home or in living facilities. The funds provided by the program are intended to cover various expenses ranging from the cost of assisted living care, to the cost of household bills and essential services. Seniors who desire assistance from the organization are required to fill out an application that demonstrates their need. More details on the program can be found at https://www.mohome.org/financial-programs/long-term-financial-assistance/.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is another program that provides financial aid to seniors in need. Funded by the Federal Government, the program gives out funds to eligible low-income seniors who are over the age of 65. The money is intended to help seniors meet basic expenses like food, clothing and shelter. Eligibility for the program is usually determined by the income and assets owned by the seniors applying for assistance. For more information, visit https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/

Employment Assistance

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) was formed and has been managed by the U.S. Department of Labor for people who are 55 years of age or older and aim to rejoin the workforce. Seniors who are looking for a part-time job that is compatible with their health and economic condition or want to gain new abilities are qualified for this program. This program prepares an Individual Employment Plan for each accepted candidate. The link to their official website is as follows https://health.mo.gov/seniors/senioremployment/ or dial 573 526 4542.

Housing and Rent Assistance

The Missouri Supportive Housing for The Elderly also recognized as Section 202 is a specific rent assistance program that is offered by the federal authorities for seniors. Older people who are having a hard time paying their rent and are 62 years of age or older are eligible for this benefit. It also provides housing assistance in case of emergency based on the applicant’s case. These services can include housekeeping, preparing meals, and even transportation. For more information, please visit https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/mfh/grants/section202ptl.

The Missouri Supportive Housing for Persons With Disabilities is a federally funded program and is also known as Section 811. People with disabilities and over 18 years of age are qualified for this program. Qualified participants benefit from the transitional and permanent housing opportunities. Low-income seniors with disabilities are one of the priority groups for this service. To learn more, please go to https://www.hud.gov/states/missouri/renting.

The Missouri Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is one of the well-known rent assistance programs throughout the state. The main aim of this program is to make sure that everyone in need can live in a decent and safe home. The primary criteria for this program are the total income of the household and the size of the household. Low-income seniors can get in touch with this program if they are having financial issues. Chosen applicants can get a chance to choose their apartment, home, or flat at its option. Nearly 70 percent of the rent will be funded by this program. Find out more at https://www.hud.gov/states/missouri/renting.

The Missouri Rental Assistance Program was created and has been financed by the Department of Mental Health for low-income families. This program offers monetary aid for rent support only one time a year. Seniors who are having economic problems can benefit from this grant if they face eviction or at risk of losing their home. The total amount of money can differ depending on the applicant’s case. Moreover qualified candidates may have cash assistance for utilities. You can read more at https://dmh.mo.gov/housing/unit/rental-assistance or make a phone call at 573 751 4941/573 751 8017.

Home Repair Grants

Seniors can continue to reside comfortably and contentedly in their homes as long as the environment remains secure, and Home Repair Grants for Seniors enumerates the financial assistance programs that are accessible to help with housing and rental expenses as well as home maintenance.

The Safe Home for Seniors Program is operated by the St. Andrews Charitable Foundation. This program helps financially challenged seniors make repairs to their homes without charging them for the cost of repairs. The services are provided to reduce the risk of domestic accidents and make the home more hospital for the elderly residents. Some of the services provided are: weatherization, fixing leaky taps, replacement of faulty doors and windows, installation of railings, etc. More details on the repairs assistance can be found at https://standrewscharitablefoundation.org/how-we-help/safe-home-for-seniors-program/.

The Section 504 Home Repair Program provides loans and grants to eligible seniors in the state. This program is funded by the federal government to help low-income residents carry out essential repairs to the homes. Seniors who are aged 62 and older can qualify for grants of up to $10,000 which must be used to remove health and safety hazards, making the home more hospitable and fit for living. For those below the age of 62, loans of up to $40,000 may be obtained. The loan comes with a fixed 1% interest rate and a 20-year repayment period. Seniors who sell their homes less than 3 years after receiving a grant under this program will be required to repay the full grant amount. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants/mo.

The Home Repair Opportunity (HeRO) Program is offered by the state and helps seniors make non-cosmetic repairs to their homes. The program is subject to the availability of funds. When funding is available, a Notice of Funding Availability(NOFA) is issued and applications are received. Details on this are available at https://mhdc.com/about-us/notice-of-funding-availability-nofa/.

Healthcare Assistance

The Missouri Adult Day Care Program is sponsored by the State of Missouri for low-income seniors who are not able to look after themselves. It also helps family members and the caregivers of eligible seniors. The main services of this program are transportation, medical care, supervision, counseling, physical therapy, health screening, training, respite care, and evening care. To learn more about this program, click the link https://health.mo.gov/seniors/nursinghomes/adultdaycare.php or get in touch with 573 526 8524.

24/7 Wandering Support for a Safe Return was created and has been funded both by the Alzheimer’s Association and the state authorities. This program is specifically designed for seniors who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or any kind of dementia. If these people are not able to afford their medical treatment, they are most likely qualified for this benefit. It helps with the health and psychological issues of the receiver and his or her family. Read more at https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/medicalert-with-24-7-wandering-support or call 800 432 5378.

Adult Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Reporting is a vital program for the State of Missouri since it attaches importance to this service. Seniors may be persuaded in many ways particularly because of health-related issues. Some people can exploit their health problems. Because this is a common issue among older people, it is significant to call authorities and prevent this manipulative behavior. Please call the hotline 1 800 392 0210.

Mercy Health Free Clinic (MHFC) is a nonprofit medical organization that provides free healthcare services to low-income and uninsured residents of Missouri. With a staff of volunteer nurses, pharmacists, physicians and administrative personnel, the clinic renders help in the form of various medical services. Seniors can get lab tests done, receive nutrition education, and more at no cost. Treatment is by appointment only, between the hours of 10am to 1pm. Due to this scheduling, the clinic does not provide emergency services to patients. For more information, visit http://www.mhfreeclinic.com/.

Swope Health is another organization that provides comprehensive medical services for seniors in Missouri. The services include lab tests, physical exams, eye exams, treatment for minor illnesses, etc. All of these services are provided at reduced cost to seniors and in some cases, treatment may be gotten for free. More information on the organization is available at https://swopehealth.org/feelhealthy/.

MedZou Community Health Clinic is a health outfit sponsored by the faculty of the School of Medicine at University of Missouri. MedZou provides high-quality comprehensive healthcare services to residents of the state, offering a wide range of services with expert doctors. Some of the services include diabetes care, musculoskeletal exams, neurology, etc. A Patient Assistant Program is also in place to help seniors get access to expensive medications for free. Many other services are available at the clinic and can be found at https://medicine.missouri.edu/offices-programs/education/medzou-community-health-clinic.

Several other free clinics are available in the state and registered under the Missouri Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. A directory of these clinics can be viewed at https://missourifreeclinics.org/member-clinics-directory/.

Help with Dental Care

Regarding dental health, there are various programs available that provide dental grants to seniors in Missouri, specifically targeting their oral health needs. These programs cover essential dental services such as exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, and other necessary treatments.

Utility Bills Assistance

The Missouri Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a utility assistance program that was created and subsidized by federal agencies for low-income individuals. This program presents two options to help which are Energy Assistance/Regular Heating and Energy Crisis Intervention Program. The Energy Assistance/Regular Heating services offer one-time payment for you to pay utility bills based on your economic condition. The Energy Crisis Intervention Program is an emergency utility support program. Seniors who are about to lose their utility connections can get in touch with this service. The Missouri LIHEAP offers comprehensive services apart from these benefits. It also may help with other needs such as blankets, furniture, repair, etc. Explore more opportunities through the following link https://mydss.mo.gov/energy-assistance or dial 855 373 4636.

The S. Vincent de Paul charity provides financial assistance to low-income seniors to help them pay for rent and utilities to avoid disconnection from services. Details on this assistance can be found at https://www.svdpcomo.org/what-we-do/. Other charities like Salvation Army and Catholic Charities also have funding programs to help with the payment of utility bills.

Food Assistance

The Missouri Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) was established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for people in need. It sends monthly food boxes that contain nutritious and healthy food based on the applicant’s diet. The main goal of this program is to ensure that everyone has access to healthy food and their health is in a good direction. To apply, please check out the link https://health.mo.gov/living/wellness/nutrition/foodprograms/csfp/ or make connections with 573 751 6269. There are more programs catering to senior food needs are being established to simplify access to nourishing meals for those in need.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps provides resources to help low-income residents purchase food for consumption. The program issues an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to eligible households and their monthly SNAP benefits are loaded onto the card. The EBT card is debit card that can be used at participating locations to buy authorized food items. SNAP benefits are provided for as long as the senior is eligible for assistance and can greatly improve the nutrition quality of beneficiaries. More details can be found at https://health.mo.gov/living/wellness/nutrition/foodprograms/csfp/eligibility.php.

Transportation Assistance

Seniors who are residents of Callaway County can get door-to-door transportation services through Serve Tran. This organization has specials buses that provide transportation for challenged county residents. Drivers are trained to render medical care that may be required in emergency situations. Seniors can qualify to get funding assistance while receiving services so that they will not pay the full cost of transportation. To get more details, visit https://www.serveinc.net/transportation.html.

Metro Transit is the major provider of transportation in the St Louis area. The company has a fleet of vehicles which are all accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. Paratransit services are provided by Metro Transit to help disabled residents get around the city and gain access to various locations. In addition to this, Metro Transit offers discounted fares for receivers of paratransit services and for seniors over the age of 65 years. This helps seniors who would otherwise be unable to get out of their homes to attend important events and appointments. The application for the reduced fare program can be found at https://www.metrostlouis.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Disability-Reduced-Fare-Application-Revised-10-06-2020.pdf.

Operating Above The Standard (OATS) transit is a nonprofit organization that provides transportation services across 87 counties in Missouri. OATS offers shared rides for seniors along fixed routes that allow room for deviation. This deviation allows means that seniors can get dropped off closer to, or at the exact location they are heading to. Transport services are available to take seniors to medical appointments, pharmacy visits, shopping visits, etc. Some routes have a fare charge, while others are covered by donations from the Area Agencies on Aging. Rides are available on weekdays only, but some exception is made for special routes which have weekend operations. For more information, visit https://www.oatstransit.org/.

MO Rides is a free online search tool that provides information on transportation providers in various counties of the state. To access MO Rides, visit https://morides.org/. A list of other agencies that provide assistance with transportation can be found at https://health.mo.gov/atoz/pdf/transportationservices.pdf

Charities and Organizations

St. Andrews Charitable Foundation is a nonprofit charity dedicated to providing essential care to seniors in Missouri. The Foundation helps enhance the lives of seniors through several programs and initiatives. A living facility is available for seniors who require assistance and special care in their daily lives. Elderly residents can also get access to medical care at the clinic, ensuring that they remain in good shape all year round. Nutritious food is available for seniors living at the apartment provided by St. Andrews. Apart from these services, St. Andrews provides a host of other supportive services, all of which are available to seniors over the age of 65 years. More information can be gotten from https://standrewscharitablefoundation.org/.

Catholic Charities is another organization that takes on the welfare of the older residents of the state. Catholic Charities provides shelters for homeless seniors, reintegration for homeless veterans, financial aid for bills, etc. Seniors can get help from the organization to pay for their utilities, rent, home repairs, and more. Catholic Charities also partners with government care providers to locally administer programs concerned with the wellbeing of seniors in the state. More detailed information on the kind of help offered by Catholic Charities can be found at https://ccsomo.org/programs-services/.

The Salvation Army meets the needs of the elderly in Missouri by offering services to solve the challenges they face. Shelters are provided to give homeless seniors a safe place to lay their head. Assistance is also provided for people with financial needs, issuing funds to help them pay for rent, utilities, medical care, etc. Direct financial assistance is usually limited by available funds. Seniors can visit the Salvation Army website at https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/mokan/partner-with-adults/ for details on how to obtain help.

Assistance for Senior Veterans

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) is a special program that provides housing solutions for veterans. SSVF helps veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to locate and secure affordable housing. Resources are provided to help veterans locate decent low-cost housing, and then funds are provided to pay for rent things like security deposits. Veterans who already have a home but need help paying for rent or utilities can also apply and receive assistance through SSVF. Money may also be awarded to pay for moving bills and transportation expenses for eligible veterans. For further details, visit https://www.veteransinc.org/services/supportive-services-for-veteran-families/.

Veterans United Foundation is another organization concerned with assisting veterans who need a better life. The Foundation provides different services to veterans in the state, deciding each case with consideration for the needs of the veteran applying. Apart from direct assistance, referrals are also given to other agencies that can be of help to veterans. Interested veterans can visit https://www.enhancelives.com/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What financial assistance programs are available for seniors in Missouri? Missouri seniors can benefit from the Missouri Rx Plan, which provides prescription drug assistance, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help with heating and cooling costs, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food aid.

2. How can seniors apply for Medicaid in Missouri? Seniors can apply for Medicaid (MO HealthNet) in Missouri online through the myDSS.mo.gov website, by phone, or by visiting a local Family Support Division office. Applicants need to provide proof of age, income, Missouri residency, and assets.

3. What housing assistance is available for seniors in Missouri? The Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, offering rental assistance. Additionally, MHDC provides information on affordable senior housing developments across the state.

4. Can seniors receive assistance with utility bills in Missouri? Yes, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers financial assistance to eligible senior households to help with utility bills, ensuring their access to heating and cooling.

5. How do seniors get help with prescription medications in Missouri? The Missouri Rx Plan (MoRx) helps seniors cover the cost of prescription medications by coordinating benefits with Medicare Part D, offering significant savings on prescription drugs.

6. Are there property tax relief programs for seniors in Missouri? Missouri’s Property Tax Credit Claim (MO-PTC) provides a tax credit to eligible seniors for a portion of the rent or property taxes paid on their primary residence, offering financial relief to those on fixed incomes.

7. What in-home care services can seniors access in Missouri? The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offers the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program, providing in-home care, personal care, and other supportive services to help seniors live independently.

8. How can seniors access transportation services in Missouri? Transportation services for seniors in Missouri are often available through local Area Agencies on Aging, providing rides to medical appointments, shopping, and other essential activities, sometimes at reduced costs or for free.

9. What nutritional programs support seniors in Missouri? The Missouri Senior Nutrition Program offers meals at senior centers and through home-delivered meal programs like Meals on Wheels, ensuring seniors have access to nutritious food and social engagement.

10. How can seniors in Missouri receive legal assistance? Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal assistance to eligible seniors, covering issues such as healthcare, housing, consumer rights, and elder abuse, ensuring their rights are protected.