Senior benefits in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

Northumberland CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Northumberland County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Northumberland CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 570-988-5500. Application window typically November-April. Central PA winter heating demand is high.

$200–$1,500/yr

Northumberland County emergency aid: (1) Northumberland CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (570-988-5500); (2) Northumberland AAA for senior-specific case management (570-988-5417); (3) Northumberland hospital safety net (570-644-4200); (4) rabbittransit + Sunbury Transit for transportation (570-988-6660); (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

Northumberland County's principal community hospital safety net is Geisinger Shamokin (Coal Township, Geisinger affiliate) and UPMC Sunbury (Sunbury, UPMC affiliate since 2020) — Northumberland's two principal community hospitals. Tertiary referrals route to Geisinger Medical Center (Montour) or UPMC Altoona.. 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: 570-644-4200.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Northumberland: Geisinger Shamokin (Coal Township, Geisinger affiliate) and UPMC Sunbury (Sunbury, UPMC affiliate since 2020) — Northumberland's two principal community hospitals. Tertiary referrals route to Geisinger Medical Center (Montour) or UPMC Altoona.. Central PA = Geisinger heartland + UPMC/Guthrie/Conemaugh-LifePoint expansion.

Northumberland 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: Union/Snyder/Northumberland share a single multi-county AAA — Union-Snyder-Northumberland Area Agency on Aging (USN Aging), headquartered in Sunbury. Apply by calling AAA at 570-988-5417 or emailing aging@northumberlandcountypa.gov/aging.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

In this county: Northumberland: County AAA. APPRISE = PA's SHIP.NOTE: Union/Snyder/Northumberland share a single multi-county AAA — Union-Snyder-Northumberland Area Agency on Aging (USN Aging), headquartered in Sunbury.

rabbittransit + Sunbury Transit covers Northumberland County. rabbittransit serves Northumberland County (Sunbury, Shamokin, Mount Carmel). PA Senior Free Transit Program FREE for age 65+ on fixed-route. Shared Ride for essential trips. UPMC Sunbury hospital shuttle for patient access.. 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 Northumberland AAA at 570-988-5417.

$300–$2,500/yr