Senior benefits in Wayne County, Pennsylvania

Wayne CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Wayne County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Wayne CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 570-253-2640. NEPA winter heating demand is among the highest in PA — apply early in the season.

$200–$1,500/yr

Wayne County emergency aid: (1) Wayne CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (570-253-2640); (2) Wayne AAA for senior-specific case management (570-253-4262); (3) Wayne hospital safety net (570-253-8100); (4) Wayne County Office of Transportation + Shared Ride for transportation (570-253-4280); (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

Wayne County's principal community hospital safety net is Wayne Memorial Hospital (Honesdale, Wayne Memorial Health System, independent) is Wayne's flagship + serves Pike County (no in-county hospital). One of NEPA's remaining independent rural hospitals.. 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.wmh.org/billing-and-financial-services. Phone: 570-253-8100.

$500–$30,000/yr

In this county: Wayne: Wayne Memorial Hospital (Honesdale, Wayne Memorial Health System, independent) is Wayne's flagship + serves Pike County (no in-county hospital). One of NEPA's remaining independent rural hospitals.. NEPA reshaped by 2024 LVHN/Commonwealth Health consolidation.

Wayne 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 Wayne AAA at 570-253-4262 or emailing aging@waynecountypa.gov.

$1,500–$6,000/yr

Wayne County Office of Transportation + Shared Ride covers Wayne County. Wayne County operates rural shared-ride transit (Wayne County Office of Transportation Information Services). Limited fixed-route coverage. Connections to COLTS at Lackawanna border + cross-border NY shuttle for senior medical trips. PA Senior Free Transit Program for fixed-route 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 Wayne AAA at 570-253-4262.

$300–$2,500/yr