Help for Seniors in Montana
Living in Montana comes with many pros and cons. One of the pros that will appeal to many seniors in the absence of sales tax. This reduces the cost of living, and along with the low property taxes, Montana can be a wonderful place to call home. The state also has many rural areas and an overall very low population density, meaning that everyone has a large space to call their own. However, this may be an issue in case a senior needs help and is unable to go out to get it. On the other hand, retirement income may be taxed, which is not the case in other states. Moreover, the winters are very harsh and unforgiving, making it dangerous to be stuck without heating or an alternate source of power. Being a mostly rural state, seniors find it easier to get help from their neighbors as the communities tend to be close-knit.
State Resources for Seniors
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has a state unit on aging. This unit oversees and administers several programs aimed at giving seniors a better life. Unlike many other states where the elderly qualify for benefits from the age of 65, Montana begins to provide benefits for older residents from the age of 60. The state provides many resources for seniors, while also pointing in the direction of other useful resources not provided by the state itself. Seniors who are seeking assistance and information can visit https://dphhs.mt.gov/sltc/aging/.
Dental Grants and Benefits
RiverStone Health Dental Clinic provides dental care to people of all ages. The clinic is staffed by dentists completing their dental residency, under supervision of experienced dentists. RiverStone Clinic accepts Medicaid, and other forms of insurance. The Clinic also attends to seniors who have no insurance coverage for their dental care, providing treatment for them and helping them find payment solutions later on. Services offered include cleaning, filling, minor surgery, etc. RiverStone Health Dental Clinic also attends to emergency dental care needs of seniors. To get more information or schedule an appointment, visit https://riverstonehealth.org/clinical-services/dental-clinic/.
Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic offers free dental care clinics on Monday evenings from 6pm. The Clinic treats acute dental pain and other issues, providing services like extraction, cleaning, lab tests, etc. Shepherd’s Hand also covers the cost of the medications prescribed to patients, giving them totally free dental care and allowing them save their resources to meet other pressing needs. Seniors who need care can visit https://shepherdshand.com/ for assistance.
Community Health Partners (CHP) is another organization that provides dental services to seniors. CHP is a nonprofit organization with experienced dental professionals who provide emergency and comprehensive care to those in need. CHP operates a walk-in clinic where seniors can come to without scheduling an appointment. This allows them get emergency care as soon as an oral health issue is noticed. Services at the walk-in clinic are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. For comprehensive services, seniors can get oral exams, fluoride treatments, cleanings, exactions, fillings, etc. Dentures are also provided in some cases. Seniors can visit https://chphealthmt.org/services/dental to find more information and get the address of the closest CHP location to them.
Healthcare Assistance
Southwest Montana Community Health Center provides medical care to residents across different backgrounds. Comprehensive health care services are offered to carry out testing and treatment of individuals who come in for care. The health center accepts several insurance policies but also attends to patients who have no insurance. Patients who have income that falls below 200% of the federal poverty level can get discounts on care expenses through the sliding fee program. To determine if your household is below the poverty line, make use of the Montana Federal Poverty Level calculator (updated for 2023). This program considers the income of patients and charges them based on their ability to pay. Assistance is also available for those who cannot afford to pay for their prescribed medication. More details can be gotten from https://swmtchc.org/.
The Montana Medicaid program is a special insurance program for low-income residents of the state. This program is designed to help financially challenged residents, including seniors, get access to proper health care services. Medicaid covers many medical procedures and is widely accepted across many hospitals in the state. Eligibility for Medicaid is determined by income considerations; however, exceptions may be made for seniors who exceed the income threshold for eligibility. Elderly Montana residents who wish to apply for Medicaid can visit https://dphhs.mt.gov/healthcare/apply.
Charities and Organizations
Big Sky Senior Services is an organization that provides home care to seniors in Montana. Big Sky helps seniors maintain independence and age at home by providing them with assistive services around the home. Seniors who need assistance pay an amount that is decided based on their income. In turn, Big Sky staff come in and help with chores around the home like cleaning, cooking, pet care, laundry etc. Nursing services are also provided for seniors with health challenges. The ultimate goal is to allow seniors stay home for as long as possible so they can age with dignity. For a full list of available services, visit https://www.bigskyseniorservices.org/list-of-services.html.
Befriender Bozeman is a volunteer organization in the Bozeman area of the state that helps seniors to socialize with others. Volunteers are matched with a senior so that they can spend some time together each week, helping them out with chores, shopping, cleaning, or even just talking. The idea behind the program is the provision of a friendly and hospital environment where the elderly never feel alone. Services are provided for seniors who are aged 65 and above. For more details, visit https://befriendersbozeman.org/.
The Salvation Army is a major charity organization that offers assistance to challenged residents of Montana. With a wide network of support, Salvation Army reaches out to thousands of Montanans every year. The Services provided vary widely and include assistance with funds for utility and rent payment, provision of free food, shelters for the homeless, medical assistance, etc. Seniors who indicate need can receive many forms of help for the charity. Seniors can find the nearest Salvation Army office to them by visiting https://westernusa.salvationarmy.org/intermountain_us_west/montana/.
Financial Assistance
Seniors in Montana can receive financial assistance through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. This is federal program provided by the Social Security Administration that helps seniors who financially challenged and in need of assistance. SSI benefits are issued monthly to eligible seniors to help them meet their basic needs, especially food, shelter and clothing. Eligibility for the program is usually determined by the income level and asset value of seniors who apply. Some exemptions are made for certain essential assets like an automobile, the home, etc. SSI benefits are available for seniors from the age of 65 years and above. For more details on SSI benefits and the guidelines, visit https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/.
Food Assistance
Nutrition is an essential factor in maintaining good health. This is especially true for older persons whose bodies require specific nutrients to maintain normal function.
The Congregate Meals Program provides food for seniors in the state in group settings. These meals are provided in places where seniors can come together to receive food and socialize with each other, such as senior centers, nursing homes, churches, etc. There are about 170 congregate meal sites in the state, each reaching out to seniors within the area of coverage to ensure proper nutrition. The food provided is fresh and planned by a dietician to ensure that the best possible nutrition is obtained.
For elderly Montanans who are homebound and unable to get to congregate meal distribution centers, arrangements are made to provide them with Home Delivered Meals. Hot nutritious meals are delivered to the homes of seniors, providing them with essential food and nutrition for healthy living. Some food items may be delivered frozen or dried, but usually, minimal preparation is required to eat the food provided by the Home Delivered Meals program.
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is another nutrition program available in the state. It is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help seniors get access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Seniors with income that falls below 185% of the federal poverty level receive coupons which can be used to purchase fresh fruits and locally grown foods from farmers’ markets in the state. SFMNP provides a major nutrition boost for beneficiaries as the foods provided are fresh and unprocessed, having their optimum nutritional value.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits which seniors can use to purchase food. Recipients of SNAP benefits receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card on to which their monthly benefits are loaded. This card can be used in authorized grocery stores and food sales locations to purchase approved food items for consumption. SNAP benefits often constitute a major part of the feeding budget of challenged seniors, helping them get access to a wide variety of food items. For more information, visit https://dphhs.mt.gov/hcsd/SNAP.
Elderly Montanans with income below 130% of the federal poverty level can apply for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). This program provides food boxes monthly to eligible seniors with items to help them supplement their diet. The contents of the food boxes are not sufficient to last the entire month; rather, they are meant to serve as nutrition supplements to whatever foods the beneficiaries consume. The food boxes usually contain things like milk, fruits, juices, canned meat, cereal, etc. Additional information on the food and nutrition assistance programs in Montana can be found at https://dphhs.mt.gov/sltc/aging/nutritionservices.
Housing Assistance and Home Repair Grants
Habitat for Humanity is a charity organization that helps the elderly residents of Montana with home repairs and renovations. Seniors can get assistance from the organization to make repairs after an inspection has been carried out. Habitat for Humanity usually provides the materials for renovation while volunteers come in to make the necessary repairs. In some cases, seniors may be asked to pay for the cost of the repair materials. Habitat for Humanity also provides affordable homes by building and selling homes at low prices to eligible seniors in the state. The housing program can help provide older citizens with a cheap housing option, rather than spending all their income on more expensive homes or ending up homeless. Seniors can visit https://habitatmissoula.org/ for more details.
The Single Family Home Repair Loans and Grants program provides resources to seniors to help them get their homes in safe order. Through the program, seniors over the age of 62 may be eligible for grant funding to make essential repairs to their homes, particularly getting rid of health and safety hazards around the home. Those who are below the age of 62 can obtain loans with a low interest rate and a long repayment period for home repairs and modifications. Details can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants/mt.
Montana also offers a Reverse Annuity Mortgage Program. This allows seniors to take loans against the equity of their homes which they can use to carry out repairs on the home. The program is available to seniors aged 68 years and older, with loan amounts ranging from $15,000 to $150,000. For more information, visit https://housing.mt.gov/Homeownership/Reverse-Annuity-Mortgages.
Transportation Assistance
Medicaid Transportation Services are available to help Medicaid recipients get to and from doctors’ appointments. Approved trips receive funding to help transport the seniors to the required locations. Eligible seniors may also receive assistance to pay for meals and lodging for the duration of the medical visit (in case of extended visits). More information can be gotten from https://dphhs.mt.gov/montanahealthcareprograms/medicaid/transportation.
Residents of Gallatin County can ride on the Streamline Bus. This bus operates on a fixed route schedule and provides free rides to seniors in the county. A paratransit service is also available, providing door-to-door services to seniors so they can get to appointments and other important events. Further details can be found at https://thehrdc.org/transportation/.
Mountain Line operates buses on a zero-fare system, allowing seniors to connect with various parts of the Missoula area seamlessly. The buses are wheelchair accessible, along with other support systems to cater for seniors and passenger with reduced mobility. For more information on the Mountain Line zero-fare transit, visit https://mountainline.com/sustainability/zero-fare/.
Help with Utility Bills
Financially Challenged Montana seniors can apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to get help with their winter home energy costs. LIHEAP provides financial assistance in the form of credits applied to the accounts of seniors. This arrangement allows the funds to be paid directly to the utility companies. Furnace and heating emergencies can also be taken care of by LIHEAP. The program is particularly important in a state like Montana where the winters are extremely harsh, with low temperatures.
Similar to LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is another utility assistance program. However, LIHWAP helps settle water and sewer bills to prevent shutoffs. LIHWAP also provides funds for back payments and reconnection. In a rural state like Montana, access to flowing water is very important and LIHWAP ensures that the elderly constantly get access to this important resource. Both programs decide eligibility based on the income levels of applicants. Information on LIHEAP and LIHWAP in the state can be found at https://dphhs.mt.gov/hcsd/energyassistance/.
The Lifeline Assistance Program helps seniors pay for phone services. Through Lifeline, elderly residents can get a discount on telephone subscriptions, allowing them to stay connected to the outside world. This is especially important for residents of Montana. Due to the low population density and rural areas, the nearest person may be miles away and beyond the reach of seniors in distress. Therefore, by helping the older residents get access to telephone communication, a sense of reassurance is given as help can be sought from afar off without fear of being locked in by immobility. More details are available at https://accessmontana.com/lifeline/.
Assistance for Senior Veterans
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) is a program that helps prevent homelessness among veterans. This program helps veterans to locate affordable housing options, and supports them in the process of moving into these affordable options. SSVF provides financial support which can be used to pay for rent, utilities, security deposits, etc. Moving costs are also covered by the program so that veterans can transition into better housing with ease. More details can be obtained from https://centerstone.org/supportive-services-for-veterans-families/.
Veterans can also get assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). One of the key programs offered by the VA is home loans and grants. This program allows veterans to own their own home and not have to worry about ending up homeless. VA also issues other benefits to qualified veterans, helping them with parts of their living costs. For more programs offered by the VA to help veterans, visit https://www.va.gov/.
