Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in Alabama. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in Alabama)
- 211 (dial 2-1-1) for local rent, utility, food, and medical help, 24/7
- Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, the federal front door to your Area Agency on Aging
- BenefitsCheckUp.org screens you for every benefit you may qualify for
- Medicare 1-800-633-4227 | Social Security 1-800-772-1213 | VA Benefits 1-800-827-1000
- Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900 | National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311 | Crisis Lifeline 988
Free Medicare counseling (Alabama SHIP)
Alabama runs the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), administered by the Alabama Department of Senior Services and delivered through the Area Agencies on Aging. SHIP gives free, unbiased one-on-one help with Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, Medigap, enrollment, appeals, and notices. SHIP counselors do not sell insurance. Reach a counselor through the statewide 1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463) line or online at alabamaageline.gov/ship.
Medicaid in Alabama
Alabama Medicaid is run by the Alabama Medicaid Agency. For seniors, the relevant track is the Elderly and Disabled (E and D) program. Apply online at eanddapplication.medicaid.alabama.gov, by phone through the Recipient Call Center at 1-800-362-1504 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), or in person at your local Medicaid District Office or Department of Human Resources (DHR). The Medicaid Waiver programs (coordinated with the Department of Senior Services) can help people who need nursing-home level care stay at home; ask about them at 1-800-AGELINE.
Prescription help
Alabama runs a real state prescription program: SenioRx, administered by the Alabama Department of Senior Services with the Area Agencies on Aging and funded by the Alabama State Legislature. SenioRx helps people age 55 and older, or adults with disabilities of any age, who have at least one diagnosed condition requiring medication, get brand-name prescriptions free or at low cost through pharmaceutical company patient-assistance programs (often a three-month supply with refills while eligible). Apply through your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463) or alabamaageline.gov/seniorx. SHIP can also screen you for Medicare Extra Help (the Low-Income Subsidy).
Energy and utility help
Alabama runs LIHEAP through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), which contracts with local Community Action Agencies to deliver it. LIHEAP helps with home heating and cooling costs and energy crisis situations for households at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. To apply, contact your local Community Action Agency (find it through caaalabama.org), ADECA at 334-242-5100, or dial 211. Both homeowners and renters may apply.
Property tax relief (Alabama)
Alabama's senior property tax relief is built into its homestead exemptions and applied through your county.
- State property tax: fully exempt at 65. Under Alabama law, the homestead of a resident age 65 or older is exempt from all state-levied property tax, regardless of income. County, city, and school taxes are handled separately (see below).
- County and additional relief is tiered by income. Common categories: the H-2 exemption (age 65 or older with annual adjusted gross income under $12,000, exempting state tax plus up to $5,000 of assessed value for county tax), and the H-3 exemption (age 65 or older, or totally and permanently disabled, with taxable income of $12,000 or less on the most recent federal return, exempting the principal residence and up to 160 adjacent acres from all property tax). A separate H-4 category covers age 65 or older regardless of income for the state portion.
- How and when to apply. Claim or re-verify your exemption with your county Revenue Commissioner or tax-assessing official, generally between October 1 and December 31. Some counties (for example, Jefferson County under a 2022 constitutional amendment) have an additional local "Special Senior" exemption, so ask your county what applies.
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
Alabama's Area Agencies on Aging, coordinated through the Alabama Department of Senior Services, arrange home-delivered meals, in-home care, caregiver support, and senior transportation. Reach your local AAA through 1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463), the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116), or by dialing 211. For free civil legal help, contact Legal Services Alabama at 1-866-456-4995 or ask your Area Agency on Aging.
Frequently asked questions
What is Alabama's SHIP program? It is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, run by the Alabama Department of Senior Services. Free Medicare counseling at 1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463).
Does Alabama offer senior property tax relief? Yes. Residents age 65 or older are exempt from all state-levied property tax, and county-level homestead exemptions (H-2, H-3, H-4) provide further relief based on age, disability, and income. Apply with your county Revenue Commissioner, generally October 1 to December 31.
Does Alabama help seniors pay for prescriptions? Yes. SenioRx, run by the Department of Senior Services, helps people 55 and older (or adults with disabilities) get free or low-cost medications. Call 1-800-AGELINE.
How do Alabama seniors get help with energy bills? Through LIHEAP, administered by ADECA and delivered by local Community Action Agencies. Call ADECA at 334-242-5100, contact your local agency, or dial 211.
Sources
- Alabama Department of Senior Services, Medicare and Insurance Counseling / SHIP (1-800-AGELINE): https://alabamaageline.gov/ship/ . Verified June 8, 2026.
- Alabama Department of Senior Services, SenioRx Prescription Drug Assistance (age 55+ or disabled): https://alabamaageline.gov/seniorx/ . Verified June 8, 2026.
- Alabama Medicaid Agency, Applicant Contacts / Elderly and Disabled application (1-800-362-1504): https://medicaid.alabama.gov/content/10.0_Contact/10.2_Applicant_Contacts.aspx . Verified June 8, 2026.
- ADECA, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), 150% FPL: https://adeca.alabama.gov/liheap/ . Verified June 8, 2026.
- Alabama Department of Revenue, "I am over 65. Do I have to pay property taxes?" (state property tax exemption at 65): https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/faqs/i-am-over-65-do-i-have-to-pay-property-taxes/ . Verified June 8, 2026.