Senior benefits in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

Lackawanna CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Lackawanna County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Lackawanna CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 570-963-4525. NEPA winter heating demand is among the highest in PA — apply early in the season.

$200–$1,500/yr

Lackawanna County emergency aid: (1) Lackawanna CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (570-963-4525); (2) Lackawanna AAA for senior-specific case management (570-963-6740); (3) Lackawanna hospital safety net (570-703-8000); (4) COLTS (County of Lackawanna Transit System) + COLTS Shared Ride for transportation (570-346-2061); (5) Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton (covers all 11 NEPA counties — Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, Wyoming, Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan); (6) Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank (serves Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Wayne) + United Way of Wyoming Valley; (7) Dollar Energy Fund. Dial 211 (211 NEPA) for general referrals.

$200–$3,000/yr

Lackawanna County's principal community hospital safety net is Geisinger CMC (Scranton, Geisinger since 2012) is the academic teaching flagship; LVHN-Scranton (formerly Regional Hospital of Scranton, Commonwealth Health, ACQUIRED by LVHN 2024) and LVHN-Moses Taylor (formerly Moses Taylor Hospital, ACQUIRED 2024) — major LVHN expansion into Lackawanna. The 2024 acquisition ended Commonwealth Health's NEPA presence.. 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. NEPA hospital landscape was reshaped by the 2024 LVHN acquisition of Commonwealth Health's Scranton + Wilkes-Barre hospitals — now Geisinger + LVHN dominate the region. 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: 570-703-8000.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Lackawanna: Geisinger CMC (Scranton, Geisinger since 2012) is the academic teaching flagship; LVHN-Scranton (formerly Regional Hospital of Scranton, Commonwealth Health, ACQUIRED by LVHN 2024) and LVHN-Moses Taylor (formerly Moses Taylor Hospital, ACQUIRED 2024) — major LVHN expansion into Lackawanna. The 2024 acquisition ended Commonwealth Health's NEPA presence.. NEPA reshaped by 2024 LVHN/Commonwealth Health consolidation.

Lackawanna 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 transportation enrollment; Caregiver Support; Protective Services; Aging Waiver Care Management. Apply by calling Lackawanna AAA at 570-963-6740 or emailing aging@lackawannacounty.org.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

COLTS (County of Lackawanna Transit System) + COLTS Shared Ride covers Lackawanna County. County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) operates fixed-route bus across Scranton metro + commuter routes to Wilkes-Barre. PA Senior Free Transit Program FREE for age 65+ on fixed-route. Shared Ride program for medical and essential trips. Connections to LCTA at Pittston (Luzerne border).. 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 Lackawanna AAA at 570-963-6740.

$300–$2,500/yr