Richland County, SC Senior Help Directory: Columbia and Midlands Programs for Seniors and Families (2026)

Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in Richland County, SC. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.

Start here (works anywhere)

• 211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, BenefitsCheckUp.org, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988

Three local front doors: 211 | Senior Resources, Inc. (the county's lead senior agency: Meals on Wheels, four wellness centers, in-home help, and senior transportation in Richland County; 803-252-7734) | Central Midlands Area Agency on Aging (the regional aging agency for Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland: Medicare counseling, family caregiver support, information and referral; 803-376-5390)

Property tax relief (Richland County Auditor; 2020 Hampton Street, P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202; Homestead Exemption line 803-576-2610 or 803-576-2611; HSE@richlandcountysc.gov)

South Carolina's senior property tax break is the statewide Homestead Exemption, and in Richland County you apply for it at the County Auditor's Office. There is no NC-style June 1 deadline, you can apply at any time, but apply before the tax bills go out to get the break for that year.

• South Carolina Homestead Exemption (S.C. Code Section 12-37-250): exempts the first $50,000 of fair market value of your primary residence from ALL property taxes. If your primary residence is valued at $50,000 or less, it is fully exempt. To qualify, as of December 31 before the tax year you must be age 65 or older, OR totally and permanently disabled (declared by a state or federal agency), OR legally blind (certified by a licensed ophthalmologist), and a legal resident of South Carolina. There is no income limit for this exemption.
• How Richland says to apply: bring proof of age (such as a driver's license or birth certificate) or proof of disability or blindness, and apply at the Auditor's Office. You can call the Homestead Exemption line at 803-576-2610 or 803-576-2611, or email HSE@richlandcountysc.gov, to confirm what to bring and whether you can apply by mail.
• This is often confused with the Special Assessment as Legal Residence (the 4 percent assessment ratio), which is a separate application handled by the Tax Assessor's Office. The 4 percent legal-residence classification taxes an owner-occupied home at the lower 4 percent ratio (versus 6 percent) and removes school operating taxes, and it often saves more than the homestead exemption. Ask the Assessor's Office whether your home is correctly coded at 4 percent, and ask the Auditor about the senior Homestead Exemption. They are two different breaks and you can have both.
• Note: a bill to expand senior property tax relief was moving through the South Carolina General Assembly in early 2026. As of this writing it is a pending proposal, not current law, so the $50,000 Homestead Exemption above is the program in force. Confirm the current year's rules with the Richland County Auditor.

Food

• Senior Resources, Inc. runs Meals on Wheels in Richland County, delivering a nutritious meal at lunchtime five days a week to homebound seniors who cannot prepare food for themselves, along with a quick safety check from the volunteer driver. It also serves congregate (group) meals and activities at its wellness centers around the county. To start home-delivered meals, call 803-252-7734 (ask for Meals on Wheels, extension 230).
• The Central Midlands Area Agency on Aging funds and coordinates senior nutrition across Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland counties and can assess an older adult for home-delivered meals, homemaker help, and personal care; call 803-376-5390.
• Harvest Hope Food Bank, South Carolina's largest food bank, is based in Columbia at 2220 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201 (803-254-4432) and runs an emergency food pantry (generally Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to noon) plus a network of partner pantries across Richland County. Bring a photo ID; you can use the pantry about once every 30 days. Dial 211 to find the partner pantry nearest you.
• SNAP (food stamps) is income-based, not age-based, so working families qualify too. Apply through Richland County DSS (803-714-7300) or online through the South Carolina DSS benefits portal. SC Thrive can help you fill out the application for free.

Energy and utility help

• LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) in Richland County is run by Wateree Community Actions, Inc., the local community action agency, which serves Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, Richland, and Sumter counties. The Columbia office line is 803-786-4250 (a second Columbia location on Atlas Road is at 803-783-4500). LIHEAP helps with home heating and cooling costs and crisis (past-due or disconnection) situations, with priority for elderly, disabled, and young-child households. Both homeowners and renters may apply, and application windows open and close, so call to confirm they are taking applications.
• For statewide energy-assistance questions, the South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity is at 803-734-0662.
• 211 is the fastest way to find a local crisis fund or church ministry with money for a past-due utility bill, and your utility (such as Dominion Energy SC) may offer its own customer assistance for past-due accounts.

Medicare, Medicaid, prescriptions

• South Carolina's SHIP program is branded I-CARE (Insurance Counseling Assistance and Referrals for Elders). Free, unbiased one-on-one help with Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, Medigap, enrollment, appeals, and fraud. In Richland County, I-CARE counseling is delivered through the Central Midlands Area Agency on Aging (803-376-5390). You can also reach the statewide line at the South Carolina Department on Aging, 1-800-868-9095, or find a counselor at GetCareSC.com. Start here before any Medicare decision.
• Medicaid in South Carolina is called Healthy Connections, run by SCDHHS. It can help pay Medicare premiums and long-term care costs for those who qualify. Apply online at apply.scdhhs.gov, by phone at 1-888-549-0820 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), or through Richland County DSS.
• Medicare Savings Programs (help paying Part A and B premiums) and Extra Help / the Low-Income Subsidy (lower Part D drug costs) are screened and applied for through I-CARE or Healthy Connections.
• South Carolina has no flat statewide drug-payment program, so use I-CARE to apply for Extra Help and BenefitsCheckUp.org to find manufacturer and nonprofit patient assistance programs for specific medications.

Home repair and safety

• Weatherization Assistance Program: free energy-efficiency work (insulation, air sealing, weatherstripping, and heating and cooling repair or safety fixes) at no cost to income-eligible households, with older adults, people with disabilities, and families with young children served first. In Richland County this is run through Wateree Community Actions, Inc.; call 803-786-4250 and ask about weatherization. Application windows open and close, so call to confirm they are taking applications.
• USDA Section 504 Home Repair: grants up to $10,000 for very-low-income homeowners 62 and older to remove health and safety hazards (loans are available too) in eligible rural areas of Richland County, such as the Lower Richland and Eastover areas. Check eligibility with USDA Rural Development.
• Senior Resources, Inc. offers homemaker and in-home services that can help an older adult keep the home safe and manageable; ask at 803-252-7734. Dial 211 for local ramp-building and accessibility-modification help from area nonprofits.

Rent, housing, emergency cash

• 211 is the fastest route to temporary rent and utility help near you and will point you to whichever local ministry or fund has money right now.
• Wateree Community Actions, Inc. (803-786-4250) runs basic-needs, rental assistance, and self-sufficiency programs in addition to energy help.
• The Salvation Army of the Midlands and local church ministries provide emergency assistance and basic-needs help in the Columbia area; 211 can route you to whichever has funds available.
• Richland County DSS (803-714-7300) administers emergency assistance and adult services.

Transportation

• Senior Resources, Inc. provides transportation for Richland County seniors to its wellness centers and, for participants, to medical and errand destinations; ask at 803-252-7734.
• The COMET (Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority) runs fixed-route buses across Columbia and Richland County, and its DART (Dial-A-Ride Transit) service is the ADA complementary paratransit for riders whose disability keeps them from using the regular buses. DART serves Richland and western Lexington counties within three-quarters of a mile of a bus route, costs $4.00 one way (a personal care attendant rides free for certified customers), and requires an ADA certification application. Book at least the day before (24-hour notice, up to seven days ahead) by calling 803-255-7123; reservations are taken 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Residents with full Healthy Connections Medicaid and no other way to travel may qualify for free non-emergency medical transportation to covered appointments; ask Healthy Connections (1-888-549-0820) or Richland County DSS.

Legal help

• South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents on elder-law issues like powers of attorney, wills, Medicaid and public benefits, housing, consumer and finance problems, and scams. The Columbia office, which also houses the statewide intake, is at 2109 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 (local 803-799-9668; statewide intake 1-888-346-5592).
• The Central Midlands Area Agency on Aging (803-376-5390) offers free benefits counseling and legal-assistance referrals for older adults, and the regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman handles nursing-home and assisted-living complaints.
• The South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you to a private attorney; 211 can route you there.

Caregiver support

• The Central Midlands Area Agency on Aging runs the regional Family Caregiver Support Program for Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland counties: one-on-one support, respite, counseling, training, and help navigating services, plus a Seniors Raising Children program for grandparents raising grandchildren. Call 803-376-5390.
• Senior Resources, Inc.'s homemaker and in-home services give working family caregivers some relief; ask at 803-252-7734. The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is there any hour for dementia caregiving questions.

Staying at home instead of a nursing home

• Richland County has a local PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) site. Prisma Health SeniorCare PACE serves Richland and Lexington counties from its center at 1308 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201 (803-931-8175). PACE wraps all medical care, therapy, a day center, home care, and home-delivered meals into one program for people 55 and older who meet a nursing-home level of care but can live safely at home with help. It is for people who have Medicaid, Medicare, or can pay privately.
• The other route to staying home is South Carolina's Medicaid home and community based care. Healthy Connections Community Long Term Care can provide in-home personal care, adult day services, and other supports for people who would otherwise need a nursing home. Ask Healthy Connections (1-888-549-0820) or Richland County DSS about Community Long Term Care and the Medicaid waiver.
• The Central Midlands Area Agency on Aging (803-376-5390) can help you weigh in-home options, and the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can compare programs. Senior Resources' Meals on Wheels, homemaker help, and transportation also help an older adult stay in the home longer.

Frequently asked questions

My mom is 70 in Columbia and her property tax feels impossible. What is the one call to make? Call the Richland County Auditor's Homestead Exemption line at 803-576-2610 and ask about the South Carolina Homestead Exemption. If she is 65 or older and the home is her primary residence, the first $50,000 of fair market value comes off all property taxes, with no income limit. There is no annual deadline, you can apply any time, but apply before bills go out. Then ask the Assessor's Office whether her home is coded at the 4 percent legal-residence ratio, a separate break that often saves even more.

Dad is homebound in Lower Richland and can't cook anymore. How do we get him meals? Call Senior Resources, Inc. at 803-252-7734 and ask about Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors (extension 230). The Central Midlands Area Agency on Aging (803-376-5390) also coordinates senior meals. If you need food sooner, Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia (803-254-4432) and its partner pantries can help; dial 211 to find the nearest one.

My parent can't drive and needs rides to the doctor. What does Columbia offer? The COMET's DART paratransit gives rides to ADA-certified riders across Richland and western Lexington counties for $4.00 one way; call 803-255-7123 to apply and to book a day ahead. Senior Resources also provides transportation for the seniors it serves (803-252-7734). If your parent has full Healthy Connections Medicaid, ask about free non-emergency medical transportation at 1-888-549-0820.

We want to keep Mom at home but her care is getting complex. What is the all-in-one option here? Richland County has a PACE program: Prisma Health SeniorCare PACE (803-931-8175) serves Richland and Lexington and bundles all medical care, therapy, a day center, and home support for people 55 and older who meet a nursing-home level of care but want to stay home. If PACE is not a fit, ask Healthy Connections (1-888-549-0820) or Richland County DSS about Community Long Term Care, South Carolina's Medicaid home and community based care.

Sources

• Richland County Auditor, Homestead Exemption application and contact (2020 Hampton Street, P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202; Homestead line 803-576-2610 / 803-576-2611; HSE@richlandcountysc.gov; age 65 / disabled / blind): https://www.richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Organization/Departments/Auditor and https://www7.richlandcountysc.gov/auditorapps
• Richland County Auditor, Property Tax / Homestead overview: https://richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/Taxes/Auditor/Property
• South Carolina Department of Revenue, Exempt Property / Homestead and legal-residence assessment ratio: https://dor.sc.gov/property/exempt-property
• Senior Resources, Inc. (2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29205; 803-252-7734; Meals on Wheels ext 230; four wellness centers; in-home services and transportation in Richland County): https://www.seniorresourcesinc.org/ and https://www.seniorresourcesinc.org/senior-care/meals-on-wheels/
• Central Midlands Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging (220 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 350, Columbia, SC 29210; 803-376-5390; serves Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Richland; SHIP/I-CARE, Family Caregiver Support Program, IR&A): https://centralmidlands.org/agency_on_aging/index.php
• Harvest Hope Food Bank, Columbia (2220 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201; 803-254-4432; emergency food pantry; serves Richland and Midlands counties): https://www.harvesthope.org/ and https://www.harvesthope.org/about/locations
• The COMET / DART Dial-A-Ride Transit ADA paratransit (Richland and western Lexington; $4 one way; reservations 803-255-7123, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 24-hour to 7-day advance; ADA certification required): https://catchthecometsc.gov/programs-services/dart/
• Prisma Health SeniorCare PACE (1308 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201; 803-931-8175; serves Richland and Lexington; age 55+ nursing-home level of care): https://prismahealth.org/locations/ambulatory-labs-other/seniorcare-pace and https://www.getcaresc.com/provider/prisma-health-seniorcare-pace
• SCDHHS PACE county availability (Richland and Lexington included): https://www.scdhhs.gov/partners/managed-care/program-all-inclusive-care-elderly-pace
• Wateree Community Actions, Inc. (Columbia LIHEAP/weatherization, 803-786-4250 and 803-783-4500; serves Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, Richland, Sumter): https://www.wcai.org/ and https://oeo.sc.gov/managedsites/prd/oeo/liheap.html
• South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity, LIHEAP (803-734-0662): https://oeo.sc.gov/managedsites/prd/oeo/liheap.html
• South Carolina Legal Services, Columbia office and statewide intake (2109 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201; 803-799-9668; statewide 1-888-346-5592; elder law listed): https://sclegal.org/locations/
• Richland County DSS (3220 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29204; 803-714-7300): https://dss.sc.gov/contact-dss/midlands-region/richland/
• SCDHHS Healthy Connections Medicaid and Community Long Term Care (apply.scdhhs.gov, 1-888-549-0820): https://www.scdhhs.gov/members/getting-started
• South Carolina Department on Aging / SHIP-I-CARE statewide line 1-800-868-9095; GetCareSC.com: https://aging.sc.gov/programs-initiatives/medicare-and-medicare-fraud
• Verified June 27, 2026.

Verified June 27, 2026. Program names, phone numbers, income limits, and deadlines change. Confirm directly with each program before you rely on it.

Ryan Riggins, NC Real Estate License #361546, eXp Realty. Riggins Strategic Solutions is an education and media company, not a real estate sales business. Not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Programs and contacts change, confirm directly before relying on them.

UNVERIFIED: (1) Richland County Auditor Homestead line 803-576-2610 / 803-576-2611, address 2020 Hampton Street / P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202, and email HSE@richlandcountysc.gov came from search of the official richlandcountysc.gov Auditor pages plus an application page, not a single confirmed Auditor Homestead contact page this session; Code should confirm the current Homestead number and that applications are taken at the Auditor's Office. (2) Senior Resources, Inc. main 803-252-7734 and Meals on Wheels extension 230 are from the org site, GetCareSC, and findhelp; confirm the current number and extension. (3) Central Midlands AAA line 803-376-5390 and address 220 Stoneridge Drive Suite 350 are from the AAA site and a city ribbon-cutting page; confirm current. (4) Wateree Community Actions Columbia office 803-786-4250 (and 803-783-4500) and the "3220 Two Notch Road" address are from an energy-assistance directory; NOTE a likely address collision: Richland County DSS is also listed at 3220 Two Notch Road (DSS at 29204, Wateree at 29201). Code should confirm the two are separate addresses and that 803-786-4250 reaches Wateree weatherization/LIHEAP, or route via 211. (5) The COMET DART reservation line 803-255-7123, $4 fare, and 24-hour/7-day window are from the official catchthecometsc.gov DART page; confirm current. (6) Prisma Health SeniorCare PACE Laurel Street address and 803-931-8175 are from Prisma Health and GetCareSC; confirm current and that it still serves Richland. (7) SC Legal Services Columbia local line 803-799-9668 is from search; the statewide intake 1-888-346-5592 is the crib's confirmed line, use that as primary. (8) Richland County DSS 803-714-7300 / 3220 Two Notch Road is from the official dss.sc.gov Richland page plus a directory; confirm. (9) The $50,000 Homestead figure and the 4 percent legal-residence relief are SC statewide law; confirm current-year and the status of the pending 2026 senior-relief expansion bill before publishing. (10) USDA Section 504 rural eligibility varies by address within Richland County; route through USDA Rural Development.