Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in Pennsylvania. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in Pennsylvania)
- 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 (PA MEDI)
Pennsylvania's program is PA MEDI (PA Medicare Education and Decision Insight), formerly called APPRISE, run by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging through the state's Area Agencies on Aging. Free, confidential one-on-one Medicare help: 1-800-783-7067 (Monday to Friday, starting 8 a.m.).
Medicaid in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's Medicaid program is Medical Assistance (MA), administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS). Apply online at compass.state.pa.us (COMPASS), by phone at 1-866-550-4355, or in person at your county assistance office. Track an application at trackmybenefits.pa.gov.
Prescription help
Pennsylvania runs PACE and PACENET, the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly, low-cost prescription coverage for residents 65 and older (PA resident for at least 90 days; you cannot also be on the DHS Medicaid prescription benefit). PACE serves lower incomes and PACENET extends to higher incomes (as of 2024, roughly up to $33,500 single / $41,500 couple for PACENET; limits are reviewed periodically). Apply or ask questions at 1-800-225-7223.
Energy and utility help
Pennsylvania's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is run by DHS and provides a cash grant (roughly $200 to $1,000) paid toward your heating bill, plus a crisis component for emergencies. Apply online at compass.state.pa.us, by phone at 1-866-550-4355, or call the LIHEAP hotline 1-866-857-7095. Crisis help for heating emergencies is available 24 hours a day.
Property tax relief (Pennsylvania)
Pennsylvania's main senior relief is a state rebate, not a county exemption.
- Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR): a rebate from the PA Department of Revenue for residents 65 and older, widows and widowers 50+, and people with disabilities 18+, with household income of $48,110 or less (for the 2025 claim year; about half of Social Security income is excluded from that count). The maximum standard rebate is $1,000, on an income-based sliding scale (your exact rebate depends on your income; the program calculates it when you apply). Apply free online at mypath.pa.gov or through your Area Agency on Aging, legislator's office, or Revenue district office. The deadline for the current cycle has been extended to December 31, 2026.
- Homestead / Farmstead Exclusion: many school districts reduce the assessed value of a primary residence using state gaming revenue. Apply once through your county assessment office (deadline March 1). This is separate from PTRR and not age-restricted.
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
Meals on Wheels, in-home services (the OPTIONS program), caregiver support, and senior transportation are reached through your Area Agency on Aging via the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) or 2-1-1. For free civil legal help, contact your regional legal aid or PALawHelp.org. For home repair, ask about USDA Section 504 grants for homeowners 62+ and the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pennsylvania's PA MEDI program? PA MEDI (formerly APPRISE) is Pennsylvania's free Medicare counseling program from the Department of Aging. Reach it at 1-800-783-7067.
Does Pennsylvania offer senior property tax relief? Yes, mainly through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate. Residents 65+ (and widows/widowers 50+ and the disabled) with income up to $48,110 can get a rebate up to $1,000. Apply free at mypath.pa.gov; the deadline is extended to December 31, 2026.
Does Pennsylvania help seniors pay for prescriptions? Yes, through PACE and PACENET for residents 65+. Call 1-800-225-7223.
How do Pennsylvania seniors get help with heating bills? Through LIHEAP. Apply at compass.state.pa.us or call the hotline at 1-866-857-7095.
Sources
- PA Department of Aging, PA MEDI: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/aging/aging-programs-and-services/pa-medi-medicare-counseling . Verified June 3, 2026.
- PA Department of Aging, PACE / PACENET: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/aging/aging-programs-and-services/pace-program . Verified June 3, 2026.
- PA Department of Human Services, Medicaid / COMPASS and LIHEAP: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/LIHEAP.aspx and https://www.compass.state.pa.us/ . Verified June 3, 2026.
- PA Department of Revenue, Property Tax/Rent Rebate (deadline extended to Dec 31, 2026): https://www.pa.gov/agencies/revenue/ptrr . Verified June 3, 2026.