Senior benefits in Cameron County, Pennsylvania
Seniors living in Cameron County, Pennsylvania, have access to a wide range of benefit programs — even though this is Pennsylvania's least-populous county. The Area Agency on Aging of North Central Pennsylvania serves Cameron County residents and is a strong local starting point for help with services, Medicare counseling through APPRISE, and connecting to other programs. The Cameron County Assistance Office handles local delivery of Pennsylvania LIHEAP energy assistance, which can help with heating costs. Because Cameron County has no hospital within its borders, the Cameron County Referral Safety Net helps connect residents to nearby facilities like Penn Highlands Elk and Penn Highlands DuBois. The Area Transportation Authority of North Central PA provides rural shared-ride service for those who need a ride to appointments. State programs here include the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, PACE and PACENET prescription help, Medicare Savings Programs, and Community HealthChoices. Federal programs also apply. Every listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified — the administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
5
Local programs
16
Pennsylvania programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
Cameron County Area Agency on Aging — designated AAA under the Older Americans Act Title III for Cameron County; one of 52 AAAs in Pennsylvania. NOTE: Elk/Cameron/Potter/McKean/Forest + Clarion/Jefferson/Clearfield share the Office of Aging of NCPA (Area Agency on Aging of North Central Pennsylvania) — the 8-county NCPA AAA. Distinctive — same NCPA region as Penn Highlands hospital network + ATA NCPA transit, all anchored in DuBois (Clearfield).
814-265-1551
See which of these Cameron County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Cameron 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 Cameron County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Cameron County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Cameron County Assistance Office (CAO) — LIHEAP Energy Assistance Delivery (Cameron County)
CountyCameron CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Cameron County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Cameron CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 814-486-1010. PA Wilds winter heating demand is high.
$200–$1,500/yr
Cameron County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyCameron County emergency aid: (1) Cameron CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (814-486-1010); (2) Cameron AAA for senior-specific case management (814-265-1551); (3) Cameron hospital safety net (814-486-3331); (4) Area Transportation Authority of North Central PA (ATA NCPA) — Rural Shared Ride for transportation (814-371-1400); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie (covers NCPA) or Diocese of Scranton (covers Susquehanna PA Northern Tier); (6) Central Pennsylvania Food Bank or Second Harvest NW PA 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.
Cameron County Referral Safety Net — Penn Highlands DuBois + Penn Highlands Elk (Cameron County)
CountyCameron County's principal community hospital safety net is Cameron PA (PA's least-populous county, ~4K) has NO HOSPITAL in-county. Distinct from Cameron TX (LRGV). Referrals route to Penn Highlands Elk, Penn Highlands DuBois, or Cole Memorial (Potter).. Each system operates a Financial Assistance Program (sliding scale typically to 300-400% FPL). Note: PA Medicaid ABD is STRICT (~$989/month). PA Wilds hospital landscape: Penn Highlands Healthcare dominates NCPA (DuBois flagship + Elk + St. Marys + Clarion + Brookville); Upper Allegheny cross-border (Bradford PA + Olean NY); UPMC + Geisinger reach in extremities (UPMC Lock Haven Clinton, Geisinger CMC accessible to Susquehanna). Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or at https://www.phhealthcare.org/patients-visitors/financial-assistance-program. Phone: 814-486-3331.
$500–$30,000/yr
In this county: Cameron: Cameron PA (PA's least-populous county, ~4K) has NO HOSPITAL in-county. Distinct from Cameron TX (LRGV). Referrals route to Penn Highlands Elk, Penn Highlands DuBois, or Cole Memorial (Potter).. PA Wilds final batch closes the catalog.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Cameron County Area Agency on Aging — Title III + APPRISE Medicare Counseling (Cameron County)
CountyCameron 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. NOTE: Elk/Cameron/Potter/McKean/Forest + Clarion/Jefferson/Clearfield share the Office of Aging of NCPA (Area Agency on Aging of North Central Pennsylvania) — the 8-county NCPA AAA. Distinctive — same NCPA region as Penn Highlands hospital network + ATA NCPA transit, all anchored in DuBois (Clearfield). Apply by calling the AAA at 814-265-1551, or use the state's Area Agency on Aging directory at pa.gov to find current contact details.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
In this county: Cameron: County AAA. APPRISE = PA's SHIP.NOTE: Elk/Cameron/Potter/McKean/Forest + Clarion/Jefferson/Clearfield share the Office of Aging of NCPA (Area Agency on Aging of North Central Pennsylvania) — the 8-county NCPA AAA. Distinctive — same NCPA region as Penn Highlands hospital network + ATA NCPA transit, all anchored in DuBois (Clearfield).
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $300–$2,500 a year to an eligible household.
Area Transportation Authority of North Central PA (ATA NCPA) — Rural Shared Ride (Cameron County)
CountyArea Transportation Authority of North Central PA (ATA NCPA) — Rural Shared Ride covers Cameron County. Cameron County (~4K residents, PA's least-populous county) is served by ATA NCPA rural shared-ride only. No fixed-route. NOTE: Cameron PA is distinct from Cameron TX (already in catalog, LRGV region).. 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 Cameron AAA at 814-265-1551.
$300–$2,500/yr
In this county: Cameron: PA Senior Free Transit + Senior Shared Ride. ATA NCPA now serves the full 6-county NCPA region (final batch closes Elk + Cameron + Potter + McKean + Forest).
Pennsylvania and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Cameron 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.
