Administered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) and Elder Options (Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc. — DOEA Planning and Service Area 3, Florida Sunbiz Document #739573 / #N35869, 100 SW 75th Street, Suite 301, Gainesville, FL 32607, Toll-Free Elder Helpline 1-800-262-2243 / 1-800-963-5337) with local in-county outreach hosted at the Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. (SREC) Union County Senior / Client Service Center (665 Southeast 4th Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054, (386) 496-2342 Ext. 1 & 2, Transportation (386) 496-0624 / Toll-Free (844) 496-0624, Sunbiz Document #709430, EIN 59-1101989) and the Union County Public Library / Mary C. Brown Public Library (250 Southeast 5th Avenue, Lake Butler, FL 32054, (386) 496-3432, part of the New River Public Library Cooperative), SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is Union County's official, 100% free, unbiased, and commission-free CMS State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). State-certified SHINE counselors help retirees across Lake Butler (32054), Raiford (32083), and Worthington Springs (32697)—including retired State of Florida / FDOC correctional employees coordinating state People First retiree health coverage with Medicare—compare Original Medicare (Parts A & B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), Part D prescription drug formularies, and Medigap supplements, while enrolling eligible low- and moderate-income seniors in the Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI-1—saving $2,000+ annually in Part B premiums), Social Security Part D 'Extra Help' Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), and Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly (EHEAP) utility grants.
Official Verification Sources: Florida SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) — Official DOEA Portal; Elder Options (Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging — DOEA PSA 3, Sunbiz #739573) — SHINE Counseling; Suwannee River Economic Council (SREC — 665 SE 4th St, Lake Butler) & New River Public Library Cooperative (Mary C. Brown Public Library — 250 SE 5th Ave)
Issuer: Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA), U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) & CMS
Notes: Verified 2026-10-26: Free SHINE Medicare counseling for Union County is administered by Elder Options (DOEA PSA 3, Sunbiz #739573, Helpline 1-800-262-2243 / 1-800-963-5337) and hosted locally at the SREC Union County Senior / Client Service Center at 665 SE 4th St, Lake Butler, FL 32054 ((386) 496-2342 Ext. 1 & 2; Transportation (386) 496-0624, Sunbiz #709430) and the Mary C. Brown Public Library (Union County Public Library) at 250 SE 5th Ave, Lake Butler, FL 32054 ((386) 496-3432; note historical 175 W Main St address is now the Union County Supervisor of Elections).
Factual details and direct answers about SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) — SREC Union County Senior Center, Mary C. Brown Public Library & Elder Options (DOEA PSA 3 Free Medicare & Financial Benefit Counseling)'s services, licensing, and credentials.
Where is the SREC Union County Senior Center and the Union County Public Library located in Lake Butler for SHINE Medicare counseling and senior benefits?
The Suwannee River Economic Council (SREC) Union County Senior and Client Service Center is located at 665 Southeast 4th Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054 ((386) 496-2342, Ext. 1 for Client Services, Ext. 2 for Senior Services, and (386) 496-0624 for Transportation). Community outreach and public computer access are also hosted at the Mary C. Brown Public Library (Union County Public Library) at its current facility at 250 Southeast 5th Avenue, Lake Butler, FL 32054 ((386) 496-3432). Seniors can also call the Elder Options PSA 3 SHINE Helpline directly at 1-800-262-2243.
How much can a low-income Union County retiree save each year by applying for the Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB, or QI-1) through SHINE?
Qualifying Union County seniors enrolled in QMB, SLMB, or QI-1 have their monthly Medicare Part B premium paid by Florida Medicaid—saving over $2,000 per year—and QMB additionally eliminates Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles and 20% coinsurance. All SHINE counseling is 100% free, unbiased, and never involves insurance sales or commissions.
Connect with complementary legal, financial, and residential providers serving seniors in Lake Butler and Union County.
Russell A. Wade III, P.A. & Dukes Legal, P.A. — Russell A. 'Russ' Wade III, Esq. & Matthew Aaron Dukes, Esq. (Lake Butler Resident Probate, Estate Planning & Real Property Counsel)
Lake Butler, Union County
(386) 496-9656
Union County Housing Authority — Public Housing & Senior Apartments (HUD PHA #FL042 — Lake Butler)
Lake Butler, Union County
(386) 496-2047
Lake Butler Hospital (Critical Access Hospital, 25-Bed Skilled Swing-Bed Rehabilitation & 24/7 Emergency Department — Lake Butler)
Lake Butler, Union County
(386) 496-2323
Expert guidance, benefit eligibility rules, and state protections for older Florida residents and family caregivers.
DLP Bank (Formerly Community State Bank — Lake Butler In-County Branch & Starke Charter Headquarters)
Lake Butler, Union County
The Barber Group of Raymond James — Kelly Dean Barber, William 'Billy' Crossman & Alyssa Fortner (Lake Butler NW 1st Avenue In-County Branch)
Lake Butler, Union County
VyStar Credit Union & VyStar Investment Services (Lake Butler Spires IGA ATM & Starke / Alachua / Lake City) — With Florida Credit Union, Radiant Credit Union & TRU-FI Credit Union
Lake Butler, Union County
Robert Osborne Tax & Accounting, Inc. & Sandra Langley Gass, CPA (Lake Butler) — With Reddish & White, CPAs (#AD0005091), DDF CPA Group (#AC0008896), James Moore & Co. (#AD0015868) & Powell & Jones, CPAs
Lake Butler, Union County
Disclaimer: This directory listing is for informational purposes only. Florida Senior Support does not endorse or guarantee the quality of services. Please verify information and services directly with the organization.