Benefits
Pennsylvania Benefits for Older Adults
Pennsylvania has many programs that can help older adults pay for health care, drugs, food, heating bills, and property taxes or rent. This page lists each kind of help in Pennsylvania, what it pays for, and where to apply. The state agency makes the final decision on who gets help. You may qualify even if you own your home or get Social Security.
Kinds of benefits in Pennsylvania
The agency decides who qualifies. The limits below are the published figures — use them to see whether applying is worth your time.
Social Security in Pennsylvania
Social Security pays monthly benefits to retired workers, people with disabilities, and family members of workers who have died. Field offices can help you apply, replace a card, change your benefit information, and apply for Extra Help with drug costs. Many tasks can be done online or by phone at 1-800-772-1213.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration |
| How to apply | Online at ssa.gov, by phone, or at a local field office. Use the SSA Office Locator to find your office. |
| Phone | 1-800-772-1213 |
| TTY | 1-800-325-0778 |
| Source | Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Medical Assistance (Medicaid) for Older Pennsylvanians
Medical Assistance is the Pennsylvania name for Medicaid. It can pay for care that Medicare does not pay for, like long stays in a nursing home, help at home, some dental care, and hospice. If you are 65 or older, full coverage goes up to $1,330 a month in income for one person and $1,804 for a couple, with resources up to $2,000 or $3,000. Long-term care at home or in a nursing home has a higher income limit of $2,982 a month for one person. The state decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS); County Assistance Offices decide eligibility |
| What it covers | Health care Medicare does not pay for on its own, including long nursing home stays, help at home through Community HealthChoices, some dental care, rides to care, and hospice. |
| How to apply | Apply online through COMPASS, by phone, or at your County Assistance Office. |
| Limits 2026 | Spousal 2026: Resource share max: 162660; Resource share min: 32532; Long term care: Note: 300 percent of the federal benefit rate for 2026 (DHS). Resource limit $2,000 plus a $6,000 disregard at or below that income. Home equity limit $752,000.; Monthly income individual: 2982; Healthy horizons 65plus: Note: Full Medical Assistance for people 65 or older, blind, or disabled (DHS standards, January 2026), plus a $20 monthly allowance.; Resources: Couple: 3000; Individual: 2000; Monthly income: Couple: 1804; Individual: 1330 |
| Source | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS); County Assistance Offices decide eligibility (www.pa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Pennsylvania notes
- Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid in 2015, so adults under 65 can qualify on income alone up to 138 percent of the poverty level, with no asset test.
- People with income over the limit may still qualify through the Medically Needy Only spend-down route.
- Long-term services for older adults run through Community HealthChoices plans.
Medicare Savings Programs in Pennsylvania
Medicare Savings Programs help pay your Medicare costs, like the Part B premium, co-pays, and deductibles. QMB helps people with the lowest incomes: up to $1,350 a month for one person and $1,824 for a couple. SLMB and QI help people with a bit more income, up to $1,816 for one person. Resources must be $9,950 or less for one person, or $14,910 for a couple. The state decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) |
| How to apply | Apply online through COMPASS or at your County Assistance Office. Free help: PA MEDI at 1-800-783-7067. |
| Limits 2026 | QI: Income couple: 2455; Income individual: 1816; QMB: Income couple: 1824; Income individual: 1350; SLMB: Income couple: 2184; Income individual: 1616; Resources: Couple: 14910; Individual: 9950 |
| Source | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) (www.pa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Pennsylvania notes
- Figures are the 2026 federal baseline limits that Medicare publishes; DHS makes the final decision and a $20 monthly disregard applies.
- Getting a Medicare Savings Program signs you up for Extra Help with drug costs on its own.
SNAP Food Benefits in Pennsylvania
SNAP helps people with low income buy food. Your benefits come on an EBT card. In Pennsylvania, most households can qualify with income up to twice the poverty level, and most do not face a savings test. If you are 60 or older, your medical costs may count in a way that raises your benefit. The state decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) |
| How to apply | Apply online through COMPASS or at your County Assistance Office. COMPASS is the state site for cash help, SNAP, health coverage, and heating help (DHS). |
| Source | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) (www.pa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Pennsylvania notes
- Pennsylvania uses broad rules for SNAP: most households can qualify with gross income up to 200 percent of the poverty level, and most face no resource test.
- If a household member is 60 or older or has a disability, only the net income test applies, and medical costs may raise the benefit.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Pennsylvania
SSI pays monthly cash to people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have very little income and few resources. For 2026, the federal part pays up to $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple, and Pennsylvania adds a state supplement on top for most people. Your resources must be $2,000 or less for one person, or $3,000 for a couple. The home you live in does not count. Social Security decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration |
| How to apply | Apply with the Social Security Administration online, by phone, or at a field office. |
| Phone | 1-800-772-1213 |
| Federal benefit rate | Couple: 1491; Individual: 994 |
| Resource limits | Couple: 3000; Individual: 2000 |
| Year | 2026 |
| Source | Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Pennsylvania notes
- Pennsylvania adds a state supplement payment on top of the federal SSI amount for most people who get SSI, paid through DHS.
- People who get SSI in Pennsylvania also get Medical Assistance.
Extra Help and PACE/PACENET Drug Help in Pennsylvania
Two kinds of drug help are open to older Pennsylvanians. Extra Help is a federal Medicare program that pays most of your Part D costs if your income and savings are low. PACE and PACENET are state programs for people 65 or older. PACE covers people with income up to $14,500 a year for one person. PACENET covers income up to $33,500 for one person or $41,500 for a couple. Neither state program counts your savings or your home. You may qualify for one or both. Each program makes its own decision.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration / Medicare (Extra Help); Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PACE/PACENET) |
| How to apply | Apply for Extra Help at ssa.gov or by phone at 1-800-772-1213. Apply for PACE or PACENET through the Department of Aging, your Area Agency on Aging, or a pharmacy. |
| Extra help | Income rule: Income below 150 percent of the federal poverty level; for a household of one in 2026 that is $23,940 a year.; Resource limits 2026: Couple: 33100; Individual: 16590 |
| Pace pacenet | Facts: PACE and PACENET are Pennsylvania drug programs for residents 65 or older who have lived in the state at least 90 days, funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery (State Lottery Law, Chapter 5)., PACE: prior-year income up to $14,500 for one person or $17,700 for a couple. PACENET: income above the PACE limit, up to $33,500 for one person or $41,500 for a couple., Assets are not counted for PACE or PACENET. People whose drugs are paid by Medical Assistance do not qualify. |
| Year | 2026 |
| Source | Social Security Administration / Medicare (Extra Help); Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PACE/PACENET) (www.legis.state.pa.us) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Energy Help in Pennsylvania (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP helps Pennsylvania households with low income pay their heating bills. The state sends a grant of $200 to $1,000 right to your utility or fuel company. For the 2026-27 season, one person can have income up to $23,940 a year, and a household of four up to $49,500. Extra crisis help can pay if your heat may be shut off or your heating system breaks. The season runs from November 2, 2026 to April 23, 2027. The state decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) — Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) |
| How to apply | Apply online through COMPASS, on paper at your County Assistance Office, or call the LIHEAP helpline at 1-866-857-7095. |
| Phone | 1-866-857-7095 |
| Facts | The 2026-27 LIHEAP season opened November 2, 2026 and runs through April 23, 2027 (DHS)., Cash grants run from $200 to $1,000 and are paid right to your utility or fuel company. You do not need an unpaid bill, and you can rent or own., 2026-27 income limits start at $23,940 a year for one person and $49,500 for a household of four., Crisis grants of $25 to $1,000 can help with a shut-off, no fuel, or broken heating equipment. |
| Source | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) — Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (www.pa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Property Tax/Rent Rebate in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania pays money back on property tax or rent through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. If you are 65 or older and your household income is $48,110 or less, you may get $380 to $1,000 back. Renters can get a rebate too. Some homeowners with very high taxes for their income get extra money on top. Apply each year with the Department of Revenue. The state decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Pennsylvania Department of Revenue |
| How to apply | Apply online through the Department of Revenue, on paper form PA-1000, or with free help at your Area Agency on Aging or a state legislator office. |
| Facts | The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program pays a standard rebate of $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities (Department of Revenue)., You must be 65 or older (widows and widowers 50 or older, or disabled and 18 or older), and household income must be $48,110 or less a year. Half of Social Security income is not counted., Homeowners with income of $32,070 or less whose property taxes are more than 15 percent of income, and owners in some high-tax cities, get an added supplemental rebate of $190 to $500 on its own., Applications for 2025 rebates are being accepted, with a deadline of December 31, 2026. |
| Source | Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (pa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Aging Services in Pennsylvania (Area Agencies on Aging)
Area Agencies on Aging, or AAAs, are local offices that help Pennsylvanians age 60 and older and the people who care for them. They can help you find meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support, and benefits you may have missed. Pennsylvania has 52 of these agencies for its 67 counties. Help is free.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Pennsylvania Department of Aging / Area Agencies on Aging |
| How to apply | Call your local Area Agency on Aging, or the PA MEDI helpline at 1-800-783-7067 to be pointed to local help. |
| Phone | 1-800-783-7067 |
| Facts | Pennsylvania has 52 Area Agencies on Aging covering all 67 counties (Department of Aging)., Agencies give meals, caregiver support, protective services, legal help, and help finding care at home., PA Link helps people find long-term care and disability services. |
| Source | Pennsylvania Department of Aging / Area Agencies on Aging (www.pa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Free Medicare Counseling in Pennsylvania (PA MEDI / SHIP)
PA MEDI is the Pennsylvania name for SHIP, the free Medicare counseling program. Counselors can explain Medicare, compare plans, help with appeals, and check if you may qualify for programs that lower your costs, like PACE, Extra Help, and the Medicare Savings Programs. They do not sell insurance. Call 1-800-783-7067 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI) — the Pennsylvania SHIP, Department of Aging |
| How to apply | Call the PA MEDI helpline at 1-800-783-7067, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Phone | 1-800-783-7067 |
| Facts | In Pennsylvania, the federal SHIP program is called PA MEDI. It used to be called APPRISE., Trained counselors at the 52 Area Agencies on Aging give free, unbiased Medicare help. They do not sell insurance (Department of Aging). |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Source | Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI) — the Pennsylvania SHIP, Department of Aging (www.pa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Applying for Benefits in Pennsylvania (COMPASS / County Assistance)
Most Pennsylvania benefit programs run through one state agency, the Department of Human Services. You can apply for food help, health coverage, and heating help in one place online through COMPASS. You can also apply at the County Assistance Office for your county. Bring proof of who you are, where you live, your income, and your bank accounts. The agency makes the final decision.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) — COMPASS and County Assistance Offices |
| How to apply | Apply online through COMPASS for SNAP, Medical Assistance, LIHEAP, and other programs in one place, or in person at your County Assistance Office (DHS). |
| Source | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) — COMPASS and County Assistance Offices (www.pa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Good to know in Pennsylvania
- Medicaid in Pennsylvania is called Medical Assistance. Long-term care through Community HealthChoices has a 2026 income limit of $2,982 a month for one person (PA Department of Human Services).
- Pennsylvania pays for drugs for people 65 or older through PACE and PACENET, funded by the state lottery. PACE covers income up to $14,500 for one person; PACENET goes up to $33,500.
- The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program pays up to $1,000 back to homeowners and renters 65 or older with household income of $48,110 or less.
- Free Medicare counseling in Pennsylvania is called PA MEDI (it used to be called APPRISE). Call 1-800-783-7067.
- Pennsylvania has 52 Area Agencies on Aging covering all 67 counties.
- Most benefits are applied for in one place: COMPASS online, or the County Assistance Office.
Free local help
Three national programs connect you to help in your own community, at no cost: