Senior benefits in Snyder County, Pennsylvania

Snyder CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Snyder County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Snyder CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 570-372-1721. Application window typically November-April. Central PA winter heating demand is high.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,500 a year

Snyder County emergency aid: (1) Snyder CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (570-374-8126); (2) Snyder AAA for senior-specific case management (570-524-2100); (3) Snyder hospital safety net (570-374-6203); (4) rabbittransit shared ride for transportation (1-800-632-9063); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Harrisburg; (6) Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (27-county central PA regional food bank); (7) Dollar Energy Fund. Dial 211 for general referrals.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$3,000 a year

Snyder County has no hospital of its own. Many residents use WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg (Union County), which is now part of WellSpan Health. WellSpan offers free or discounted care to patients who cannot afford their bills. Discounts range from 20% to 100% for WellSpan services, based on federal poverty guidelines and a review of income and assets. You must first be screened for Pennsylvania Medical Assistance (Medicaid). Approval lasts one year. Call WellSpan financial assistance at 717-851-5051 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). For questions about an Evangelical bill, call 570-768-3000. If your care was at a Geisinger hospital, Geisinger has its own financial assistance program: call the Geisinger Patient Service Call Center at 800-640-4206.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$30,000 a year

In this county: WellSpan and Geisinger each set their own income limits and do not publish a percentage cutoff on their web pages. The income screen here is an estimate.

SHARE (Shared Housing and Resource Exchange) is a Pennsylvania Department of Aging program, run through the local Area Agency on Aging, that matches homeowners who want to share their home with people looking for housing. In return the home seeker helps with living expenses, household tasks, or both. At least one person in the match must be over 60, and everyone must be 18 or older. A SHARE Housing Counselor does reference and background checks, introduces matches, writes the home-sharing agreement, and stays in touch after the move. Call the Snyder County SHARE Housing Counselor at 570-238-2868.

Snyder County AAA serves seniors age 60+ and their caregivers. Services include: Title III Congregate Meals + Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels); PA MEDI, formerly APPRISE (PA's SHIP — free Medicare counselling); PACE/PACENET enrollment assistance; PA Lottery-funded Senior Shared Ride enrollment; Caregiver Support; Protective Services; Aging Waiver Care Management. NOTE: Union and Snyder counties share one AAA — the Union-Snyder Area Agency on Aging (USAAA), based in Lewisburg. Apply by calling the AAA at 570-524-2100 or 570-374-5558.

Estimated service value: $1,500–$6,000 a year

In this county: Snyder: County AAA. APPRISE = PA's SHIP.NOTE: Union and Snyder counties share one AAA — the Union-Snyder Area Agency on Aging (USAAA), based in Lewisburg.

Snyder County has no fixed-route bus. rabbittransit runs door-to-door shared-ride vans in Snyder County. Its Senior Shared Ride program serves people age 65 and older for any kind of trip, such as doctor visits, shopping or the senior center. The Pennsylvania Lottery pays most of the fare, so riders pay a small co-pay. Riders must apply before the first trip. Call rabbittransit Customer Service at 1-800-632-9063, weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., to apply or book.

Estimated service value: $300–$2,500 a year

rabbittransit gives Snyder County veterans free rides to VA medical care, including the Lebanon VA Medical Center and the Williamsport VA CBOC. Service runs Tuesdays (Lebanon) and Monday through Friday (Williamsport). Reservations should be made by 1:30pm the day before (Friday for Monday appointments). Escorts are permitted and all vehicles are ADA-accessible. Complete a basic Shared Ride application in advance, then call 1-800-632-9063 (option 3) to schedule a trip.

Estimated service value: about $0 a year