Senior benefits in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Seniors living in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, energy costs, prescription drugs, transportation, and more. The Jefferson County Area Agency on Aging is a strong local starting point — it connects older adults to services under the Older Americans Act and offers free APPRISE Medicare counseling to help you understand your coverage options. The Jefferson County Assistance Office can help residents apply for LIHEAP energy assistance, and the Area Transportation Authority of North Central PA provides shared-ride and transit options for seniors across the region. Penn Highlands Brookville and Penn Highlands DuBois both offer financial assistance programs for patients who need help with medical costs. State programs such as the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, PACE/PACENET prescription help, and Pennsylvania Medicare Savings Programs may also be available to you. Dozens of federal programs apply here as well. Each 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
19
Pennsylvania programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Local starting point
Jefferson County Area Agency on Aging — designated AAA under the Older Americans Act Title III for Jefferson County; one of 52 AAAs in Pennsylvania.
814-849-3096
See which of these Jefferson County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Jefferson 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 Jefferson County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Jefferson County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $200–$3,000 a year to an eligible household.
Jefferson County Assistance Office (CAO) — LIHEAP Energy Assistance Delivery (Jefferson County)
CountyJefferson CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Jefferson County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Jefferson CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 814-849-3700.
$200–$1,500/yr
Jefferson County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyJefferson County emergency aid: (1) Jefferson CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (814-849-3700); (2) Jefferson AAA for senior-specific case management (814-849-3096); (3) Jefferson hospital safety net (814-849-2312); (4) Area Transportation Authority of North Central PA (ATA NCPA) for transportation (814-371-1400); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie (covers NCPA counties — Clarion + Jefferson + Clearfield + Forest + Elk + Cameron) or Diocese of Pittsburgh (Greene/Fayette/Indiana/Somerset); (6) Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank or Second Harvest NW PA; (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.
Penn Highlands Brookville + Penn Highlands DuBois (Cross-Border Clearfield) — Financial Assistance (Jefferson County)
CountyJefferson County's principal community hospital safety net is Penn Highlands Brookville (Jefferson, Penn Highlands Healthcare) + Penn Highlands DuBois (Clearfield border, Penn Highlands ACADEMIC FLAGSHIP). Penn Highlands is the dominant rural NW + central PA system, 9 hospitals across 11 counties.. Each system operates a Financial Assistance Program (sliding scale typically to 300-400% FPL). Note: PA Medicaid ABD is STRICT (~$989/month). SW rural PA hospital landscape: Penn Highlands Healthcare anchors NCPA (DuBois academic flagship), UPMC has Somerset + Bedford, Independence Health has Clarion, WVU Medicine extends cross-border into Fayette + Greene. Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or at https://www.phhealthcare.org/patients-visitors/financial-assistance-program. Phone: 814-849-2312.
$500–$30,000/yr
In this county: Jefferson: Penn Highlands Brookville (Jefferson, Penn Highlands Healthcare) + Penn Highlands DuBois (Clearfield border, Penn Highlands ACADEMIC FLAGSHIP). Penn Highlands is the dominant rural NW + central PA system, 9 hospitals across 11 counties.. SW rural PA = Penn Highlands (NCPA) + UPMC (Somerset) + Independence Health (Clarion) + WVU Medicine cross-border (Fayette/Greene) + independent Indiana Regional.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Jefferson County Area Agency on Aging — Title III + APPRISE Medicare Counseling (Jefferson County)
CountyJefferson 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 814-849-3096 or emailing info@jcaaa.org.
$1,500–$6,000/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $300–$2,500 a year to an eligible household.
Area Transportation Authority of North Central PA (ATA NCPA) (Jefferson County)
CountyArea Transportation Authority of North Central PA (ATA NCPA) covers Jefferson County. Area Transportation Authority of North Central PA (ATA NCPA) operates rural shared-ride + limited fixed-route in Brookville + Punxsutawney. Same authority serves Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, McKean, Potter. PA Senior Free Transit Program where available.. 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 Jefferson AAA at 814-849-3096.
$300–$2,500/yr
In this county: Jefferson: PA Senior Free Transit. ATA NCPA serves the 6-county NCPA region (Clarion + Jefferson + Clearfield in this batch; Cameron/Elk/McKean/Potter in next batch).
Pennsylvania and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Jefferson 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
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 →
Housing Assistance
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 →
Nearby counties
County programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.
