COVID-19 Senior Resources

Alert 3/1/2022: This page is no longer being maintained. Information may be out of date.

  • COVID-19 vaccine:
  • What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
  • FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance: Financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred on or after 1/20/20. For guidance, eligibility requirements and services funded, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance or call 1-844-684-6333.
  • Emotional Support & Suicide Prevention Resources:
  • Ashland Senior Phone Buddy: Are you an Ashland or Talent senior who would enjoy social phone calls from a community member who shares your interests? The free Ashland Senior Phone Buddy program can match you to a local volunteer caller. To enroll, contact Ashland Senior Services Division at 541-488-5342.
  • Community Resources: Up-to-date information on available local services (food, transportation, in-home assistance, social services, legal, financial, etc)
  • Help for Latinx Community for COVID-19 or Almeda Fire Recovery (Ayuda disponible en Español)
    • Unete, 607 W Main St, Medford, 541-840-9669, providing financial assistance and navigation help
    • Northwest Seasonal Workers, 203 N. Oakdale, Medford, 541-773-6811, providing financial assistance and navigation help
  • Be SavvyCommunity Volunteer Network has just introduced Be Savvy, a website that provides Southern Oregon older adults with timely information during our COVID-19 world and beyond, including how to use and integrate technology for learning and entertainment, along with pertinent COVID-19 updates, articles of interest, fraud alerts and ways to be involved, connected and healthy. You’ll want to bookmark besavvyso.org, as it will be updated frequently. (12/2/2020)
  • COVID-19 Info & News:
    • CDC COVID-19 Guidance for Older Adults - Read more
    • City of Ashland COVID-19 info & news - Read more
    • City of Ashland COVID-19 response (utility & tax adjustments, business assistance, etc) - Read more
    • Jackson County COVID-19 info & news - Read more
    • Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 info & news - Read more
  • Masks & What You Need to Know! - Read more
  • Shopping:
  • Laundry Services: 
  • Restaurants, Farmers' Markets, other food sources:
  • Tips for staying safe with home repairs - Read more
  • Transportation:
    • Oregon DMV online services - Read more & access services
      • Tips for getting DMV services (10/8/20) - Read more
      • A law enforcement grace period on expired licenses, permits and vehicle registration has been extended to April 30, 2021. If your license, permit and/or vehicle registration expires in this period, you have three months after the expiration date to renew without being cited - Read more
    • AARP Smart Driver course (online only due to pandemic) - refresh your (defensive) driving skills and save on auto insurance - sessions in Oct-Dec 2021 - more info and link to register 
    • AARP Smart Driver Virtual Workshops (free!) - more info and links to register
      • Smart DriverTEK: highlights the importance of and how to use new vehicle safety technologies
      • Using App-Based Ridesharing Services: teaches how to use apps like Uber and Lyft to get a ride safely
      • CarFit: reviews how to get a proper fit in your vehicle
      • We Need to Talk: offers guidance on how to have a conversation with a loved one about limiting or stopping driving  
    • Oregon Friendly Driver Course (free, online) - more info and enrollment link 
      • Help be part of a more equitable and safe transportation system! This free course helps drivers better understand the rights & responsibilities of people using our streets. You will learn information on exisiting laws and the built environment.
    • Call-A-Ride service has resumed (8/25/20)
      • Existing clients or those wanting to sign up for this ride service, call 541-857-7783
    • Ashland Connector service reduced, only operating Monday-Friday 9am-6pm (541-842-2055)
    • Valley Lift services reduced, only operating Monday-Friday 6am-9pm & only for essential trips (541-842-2050)
    • RVTD new service starting April 5, 2021 - UMO pass (stored value & fare capping) - read more
    • Other services still operating:
      • RVTD Translink (Medicaid medical transportation): 541-842-2060
      • Ready Ride (Medicaid medical transportation): 541-479-7920
      • Mobile Care (medical transportation): 541-664-2114
      • AAA Eco Cab: 541-621-2100
      • Crater Lake Taxi: 541-488-1998
      • Five Star Taxi: 541-245-5555
      • Village Taxi: 541-951-0181
      • Lyft: download app for smartphone
      • Uber: download app for smartphone
  • Support if your income has changed due to COVID-19:
    • Assistance to retroactively claim unemployment benefits if you lost your job or had your hours cut due to COVID-19 (as of 8/26/21) - more info, en español
    • ACCESS Energy Assistance Program is offering additional energy assistance (as of 4/26/21) - more info
    • AARP Foundation Property Tax Aide helps homeowners find tax credits for which they might be eligible, as a way to offset the high cost of housing (you do not have to be an AARP member to use this free service) - learn more
    • Double Up Food Bucks Oregon (if on SNAP, get up to $10 extra/day for purchasing fruits & veggies at participating farmers markets) - more info (as of 12/4/20 DHS extends end date of program indefinitely as long as farmers' markets willing to continue)
    • City of Ashland Utility Assistance (electric)
      • Info and application for Senior/Disabled Utility Discount and Ashland Low Income Energy Assistance Program (energy assistance during cold winter months) are available here.
      • City of Ashland COVID-19 Utility Account Payment Deferral Program - instructions and application form
    • Oregon Health Plan (OHP) - Read More & Apply
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Read More & Apply
    • Rental rights & assistance:
    • See below for "Internet Access"
  • Internet Access
    • Emergency Broadband Benefit Program - temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households - click for more info
    • Ashland Fiber Network - $25/month internet service for low-income Ashland residents. If you are already receiving the senior or disabled utility discount from the City of Ashland, you qualify automatically; just call AFN (541-552-2222) to sign up for the discounted senior internet service. Otherwise, call the Senior Services Division office at 541-488-5342 to learn how to apply.
    • Check with your internet provider to see if they offer a senior discount 
  • Medicare & Social Security
    • SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance)
      • SHIBA website
      • call to schedule a phone appointment for one-on-one counseling about your health insurance and Medicare options: 541-488-5342
    • Assistance for Medicare costs (Parts B & D) - click for more info
    • Medford Social Security Office still available to help by phone: 1-866-931-7943 (M-F 9am-4pm) - click for more info
  • Resources for Veterans:
    • ​​Veteran Resource Navigator (online tool to find federal, state and local resources for economic, health, education, housing & food, and other needs) - website or call 800-692-9666
  • Online classes & other social or learning resources (most are free!):
  • Free online video conferencing programs/apps:

For information on our Senior Services Division please visit AshlandSeniorServices.org, call 541.488.5342 or email SeniorInfo@ashland.or.us

For information on Ashland Parks and Recreation, please visit AshlandParksandRec.org, call 541.488.5340 or email ParksInfo@ashland.or.us

For information on the City of Ashland, please visit ashland.or.us

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