How to apply for Domiciliary Care (Dom Care) — Pennsylvania

Who it's for

Dom Care gives adults who cannot live on their own a place in someone else's home rather than in an institution. A Dom Care provider opens their own home to no more than three residents and offers supervision, support and encouragement in an ordinary household setting. It is open to adults aged 18 and over. Your Area Agency on Aging certifies the homes, decides who is eligible, matches you with a provider, and keeps supporting you afterwards. The Department of Aging sets one standard payment rate for every Dom Care resident, and that payment usually comes out of your monthly SSI and State Supplement and goes straight to the provider. Contact your county Area Agency on Aging, or call the Department of Aging on 717-783-1550.

What you'll need

• An eligibility determination by your county Area Agency on Aging
• Proof of income, including any SSI and State Supplement you receive

Where to apply

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Domiciliary Care (Dom Care) — Pennsylvania. I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need an eligibility determination by your county Area Agency on Aging, proof of income, including any SSI and State Supplement you receive — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Confirm you may be eligible. Dom Care is open to adults 18 and over who need supervision and support and cannot live on their own. You must also have no relative who is willing or able to provide that support. A certified provider home must be available near you — each home takes no more than three residents.
2. Gather your documents before you apply. You will need proof of income, including any SSI and State Supplement payments you receive. Your county Area Agency on Aging will also need to complete an eligibility determination.
3. Contact your county Area Agency on Aging or call the Pennsylvania Department of Aging at 717-783-1550. You can also apply online through the Department of Aging. Staff can answer questions, confirm local availability, and start your eligibility review.
4. Complete the eligibility determination with your Area Agency on Aging. A staff member will assess whether you need the level of supervision and support Dom Care provides and whether a certified provider home is available in your area.
5. Work with your Area Agency on Aging to be matched with a certified Dom Care provider. The agency certifies provider homes and pairs you with one that fits your needs. Each provider opens their own home and offers supervision and support in an everyday household setting.
6. Understand how payment works before you move in. The Department of Aging sets one standard payment rate for all Dom Care residents. That payment normally comes out of your monthly SSI and State Supplement and goes directly to your provider, which reduces the money you handle yourself.

What to expect: After you apply, your county Area Agency on Aging will review your eligibility, assess your needs, and work to match you with a certified provider home near you. Processing times vary, so ask your local agency for an estimate. Because each home accepts no more than three residents, placement depends on a certified home being available in your area. If you are approved and matched, the agency continues to support you on an ongoing basis — there is no set renewal deadline, but your Area Agency on Aging will provide regular care management to make sure the arrangement keeps meeting your needs. The agency makes the final decision on eligibility and placement.

Renewals

ongoing, with care management by the Area Agency on Aging