Senior benefits in Columbia County, Pennsylvania

Columbia CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Columbia County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Columbia CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 570-387-4200. Application window typically November-April. Central PA winter heating demand is high.

$200–$1,500/yr

Columbia County emergency aid: (1) Columbia CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (570-387-4200); (2) Columbia AAA for senior-specific case management (570-784-4036); (3) Columbia hospital safety net (570-387-2100); (4) rabbittransit for transportation (570-784-7825); (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

Columbia County's principal community hospital safety net is Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital + Geisinger Berwick (Bloomsburg + Berwick, both Geisinger Health System) — Columbia's principal hospitals, both Geisinger. Tertiary referrals route to Geisinger Medical Center Danville (Montour).. 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.geisinger.org/patient-care/patients-and-visitors/billing-and-insurance/need-help. Phone: 570-387-2100.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Columbia: Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital + Geisinger Berwick (Bloomsburg + Berwick, both Geisinger Health System) — Columbia's principal hospitals, both Geisinger. Tertiary referrals route to Geisinger Medical Center Danville (Montour).. Central PA = Geisinger heartland + UPMC/Guthrie/Conemaugh-LifePoint expansion.

Columbia 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: Columbia and Montour share a single multi-county AAA — Columbia-Montour Area Agency on Aging. Apply by calling AAA at 570-784-9272 or emailing aging@columbiapa.org.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

In this county: Columbia: County AAA. APPRISE = PA's SHIP.NOTE: Columbia and Montour share a single multi-county AAA — Columbia-Montour Area Agency on Aging.

rabbittransit covers Columbia County. rabbittransit serves Columbia County (Bloomsburg + Berwick). NOTE: Columbia/Montour share an AAA (Columbia-Montour Area Agency on Aging, headquartered at Columbia County offices). PA Senior Free Transit Program FREE for age 65+ on fixed-route. Bloomsburg University students are a distinctive ridership population.. 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 Columbia AAA at 570-784-4036.

$300–$2,500/yr