Senior benefits in Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Delaware CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Delaware County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Delaware CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 610-447-5500. Seniors age 60+ may also apply through Delaware AAA (610-490-1300) for priority processing. Application window typically November-April.

$200–$1,500/yr

Delaware County emergency aid: (1) Delaware County Assistance Office (CAO) for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (610-447-5500); (2) Delaware AAA for senior-specific case management (610-490-1300); (3) Delaware hospital safety net (610-447-2000); (4) SEPTA Senior Reduced Fare / CCT Connect for transportation (215-580-7800); (5) Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (covers all 5 Philly-region counties — Philadelphia + Bucks/Chester/Delaware/Montgomery); (6) Philabundance regional food bank (Philadelphia-region food bank covering 4-county Philly Suburbs + Philadelphia); (7) county-specific safety-net partners (Bucks: Bucks County Housing Group; Chester: Open Hearth + Family Service of Chester County; Delaware: Catholic Charities Family Services; Montgomery: Manna on Main Street + Open Link). Dial 211 (211 Southeastern PA) for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

Delaware County's principal community hospital safety net is Crozer-Chester Medical Center (Upland, Crozer Health) is Delaware's urban safety-net; Riddle Hospital (Media, Main Line Health) serves central Delaware; Lankenau (Main Line Health, on the Philadelphia border) is the tertiary; Mercy Fitzgerald (Darby, Trinity) serves the eastern border with Philadelphia.. Each system operates a Financial Assistance Program (sliding scale typically to 300-400% FPL). Note: PA Medicaid ABD is STRICT (~$989/month income), so many low-income suburban seniors fall above Medicaid and rely on hospital FAPs. The Philly Suburbs collectively have one of the most competitive hospital landscapes in the country — patients usually have choice between 3+ systems. Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or at https://www.mainlinehealth.org/patient-services/patient-billing/financial-assistance. Phone: 610-447-2000.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Delaware: Crozer-Chester Medical Center (Upland, Crozer Health) is Delaware's urban safety-net; Riddle Hospital (Media, Main Line Health) serves central Delaware; Lankenau (Main Line Health, on the Philadelphia border) is the tertiary; Mercy Fitzgerald (Darby, Trinity) serves the eastern border with Philadelphia.. PA Medicaid ABD strict — many seniors fall above Medicaid line and rely on FAP.

Delaware County AAA serves seniors age 60+ and their caregivers. Services include: Title III Congregate Meals (at senior centers) + Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels); APPRISE (PA's SHIP — Medicare benefits counseling); PA Department of Aging Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act outreach; Caregiver Support; Protective Services (elder abuse investigations); Aging Waiver Care Management (community-based long-term services); PACE/PACENET enrollment assistance. Apply by calling Delaware AAA at 610-490-1300 or emailing cosa@delcohsa.org.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

SEPTA Reduced Fare for Seniors gives PA residents age 65+ FREE rides on SEPTA buses, subway, trolley, and Norristown High Speed Line (with a Senior Reduced Fare PA ID). Regional Rail offers a $1 fare for seniors. SEPTA serves Delaware (Chester, Upland, Folsom, Springfield, Drexel Hill, Lansdowne, Wallingford, Media via Regional Rail Wilmington/Newark Line + Bus + Media-Sharon Hill Trolley). Senior Reduced Fare FREE bus/subway/trolley, $1 Regional Rail; CCT Connect paratransit. CCT Connect is SEPTA's ADA paratransit. Apply for the Senior Reduced Fare PA ID at any PA Department of Aging office, or get a SEPTA Key Senior at SEPTA's Center City office (1234 Market Street, Philadelphia). CCT Connect: apply for eligibility assessment at 215-580-7700.

$800–$3,500/yr