The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging will host a first-of-its-kind event to help seniors apply for various public benefits.

The Blooming Benefits Day, which will be for Chilton County residents age 55 or older, will be held from 9 a.m. until noon on April 12 at the Alabama Power Conference Center in Clanton.

Participants will receive one-on-one assistance to apply for benefits including the Medicare Savings Program, Food Stamps, the low-income subsidy, job training programs and veterans’ benefits. Financial counseling and Medicare health insurance counseling will also be available.

“I want people to understand that even though gas and food has gone up, there are still services that can help you that you may not know exist,” ADRC Project Manager Ashley Pittman-McGee said. “We will also be giving everyone a bag of food just for participating. We encourage people to come for others that may not be able to attend. M4A is here for Chilton County residents, and we are bringing other representatives that are willing to serve and committed to care.”

The food provided will include canned meat, canned soup, crackers, individually wrapped snacks and mints.

All information and services at Blooming Benefits Day will be free, but those interested must register because space and supplies are limited.

To register, call M4A at 1-866-570-2998.

Blooming Benefits Day is offered in partnership with Independent Living Resources, the Veterans Administration, the Social Security Administration, Consumer Credit Counseling Services, Chilton Medical Center, Hatley Healthcare and other community organizations.

Funding for the Aging and Disability Resource Center comes from the state Department of Senior Services and the Administration on Aging.