Senior benefits in Cambria County, Pennsylvania
Seniors living in Cambria County, Pennsylvania have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, energy costs, prescription drugs, property taxes, and more. The Cambria County Area Agency on Aging is the local starting point for many of these services, including free Medicare counseling through APPRISE. The Cambria County Assistance Office helps residents apply for energy assistance through LIHEAP, and Cambria County Emergency Aid offers referral coordination for those facing urgent needs. Seniors who ride CamTran fixed-route buses may qualify for free fares through Pennsylvania's Senior Free Transit Program. Conemaugh Health System operates financial assistance programs at its local hospitals for those who need help with medical bills. State programs such as the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, PACE and PACENET, and Community HealthChoices may also apply. Dozens of federal programs are available here as well. Each program listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified — the administering agency makes the final eligibility decision.
5
Local programs
16
Pennsylvania programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
Cambria County Area Agency on Aging — designated AAA under the Older Americans Act Title III for Cambria County; one of 52 AAAs in Pennsylvania.
814-539-5595
See which of these Cambria County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Cambria County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Cambria County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Cambria County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Cambria County Assistance Office (CAO) — LIHEAP Energy Assistance Delivery (Cambria County)
CountyCambria CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Cambria County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Cambria CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 814-533-2491. Application window typically November-April. Central PA winter heating demand is high.
$200–$1,500/yr
Cambria County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyCambria County emergency aid: (1) Cambria CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (814-533-2491); (2) Cambria AAA for senior-specific case management (814-539-5595); (3) Cambria hospital safety net (814-534-9000); (4) CamTran (Cambria County Transit Authority) for transportation (814-535-5526); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Harrisburg or Diocese of Scranton (depending on county); (6) Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (27-county central PA regional food bank); (7) Dollar Energy Fund. Dial 211 for general referrals.
$200–$3,000/yr
Healthcare
Programs here are typically worth $500–$30,000 a year to an eligible household.
Conemaugh Health System (LifePoint Health) — Memorial Medical Center + Miners Medical Center — Financial Assistance (Cambria County)
CountyCambria County's principal community hospital safety net is Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center (Johnstown, Conemaugh Health System / LifePoint Health) is Cambria's flagship + Level 1 Trauma. LifePoint Health is for-profit — distinctive in PA. UPMC Altoona is the major tertiary referral.. Each system operates a Financial Assistance Program (sliding scale typically to 300-400% FPL). Note: PA Medicaid ABD is STRICT (~$989/month), so many low-income seniors fall above Medicaid and rely on hospital FAPs. Central PA hospital landscape is dominated by Geisinger Health System (anchored at Geisinger Medical Center Danville, Montour County) with UPMC and Guthrie expansions. Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or at https://www.conemaugh.org/charity-care. Phone: 814-534-9000.
$500–$30,000/yr
In this county: Cambria: Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center (Johnstown, Conemaugh Health System / LifePoint Health) is Cambria's flagship + Level 1 Trauma. LifePoint Health is for-profit — distinctive in PA. UPMC Altoona is the major tertiary referral.. Central PA = Geisinger heartland + UPMC/Guthrie/Conemaugh-LifePoint expansion.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Cambria County Area Agency on Aging — Title III + APPRISE Medicare Counseling (Cambria County)
CountyCambria County AAA serves seniors age 60+ and their caregivers. Services include: Title III Congregate Meals + Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels); APPRISE (PA's SHIP — Medicare benefits counseling); PACE/PACENET enrollment assistance; PA Lottery-funded Senior Shared Ride enrollment; Caregiver Support; Protective Services; Aging Waiver Care Management. Apply by calling AAA at 814-539-5595 or emailing aging@cambriacountypa.gov.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $300–$2,500 a year to an eligible household.
CamTran (Cambria County Transit Authority) (Cambria County)
CountyCamTran (Cambria County Transit Authority) covers Cambria County. CamTran (Cambria County Transit Authority) operates fixed-route bus across Johnstown + Ebensburg + Cresson. Amtrak Pennsylvanian service at Johnstown Station for Pittsburgh + Harrisburg connections. PA Senior Free Transit Program FREE for age 65+ on fixed-route.. PA Senior Shared Ride program — funded by PA Lottery, age 65+ pays $1-3 per essential trip. Apply for senior fare through the local transit authority or Cambria AAA at 814-539-5595.
$300–$2,500/yr
Pennsylvania and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Cambria County and across the rest of Pennsylvania. Full details are on the Pennsylvania benefits page.
Emergency Aid
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- Pennsylvania Medical Assistance for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (Non-MAGI MA)State$4,000–$50,000/yrOfficial source →
- Pennsylvania Medicare Savings Programs (QMB / SLMB / QI / SLMB-1)State$2,098–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
- PACE + PACENET — Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the ElderlyState$500–$4,000/yrOfficial source →
Home Care
- Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) — Pennsylvania's PACE ProgramState$30,000–$80,000/yrOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (PTRR)State$380–$1,000/yrOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrOfficial source →
- Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices (CHC)State$20,000–$80,000/yrOfficial source →
- Pennsylvania State Veterans Homes (Long-Term Care)StateOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- Pennsylvania County Directors of Veterans Affairs (Free Benefits and Claims Help)StateOfficial source →
- Pennsylvania Disabled Veteran Fishing License (Free or Reduced Fee)StateOfficial source →
- Pennsylvania Disabled Veteran Hunting License (Free or $2.97)StateOfficial source →
Tax Relief
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrOfficial source →
- Pennsylvania Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans' Pension ($150 per Month)State$1,800/yrOfficial source →
- Pennsylvania Blind Veterans' Pension ($150 per Month)State$1,800/yrOfficial source →
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.
