How to apply for OPTIONS Program (In-Home and Community Services) — Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Aging, delivered by the 52 local Area Agencies on Aging covering all 67 counties
Who it's for
OPTIONS helps Pennsylvanians aged 60 and older stay in their own home. Your Area Agency on Aging assesses what you need and can arrange care management, home support and home health services, adult day services, home modifications, medical equipment and assistive devices, and emergency help. There is no income limit to take part. Depending on your income you may be asked to pay something toward the cost, on a sliding scale that runs from 133% to 300% of the federal poverty level and is updated every year. To qualify you must be 60 or older, live in Pennsylvania, be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, have some frailty in your physical or mental health, and have needs that OPTIONS services can meet. Contact your county Area Agency on Aging to ask for an assessment.
There is no income limit, but income is not the whole test. You must have some degree of frailty in your physical or mental health and unmet needs that OPTIONS services can meet — your Area Agency on Aging decides that at an assessment, and this check cannot judge it. If your income is above 133% of the federal poverty level you will be asked to pay a share of the cost on a sliding scale that reaches 300% of that level, so it is not free for many people. You must also be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. Each Area Agency runs the programme locally, so what is available and how long you wait can vary. Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final decision.
People who qualify for one senior program often qualify for others. See everything you may qualify for — free, no SSN, about five minutes.
Discover my benefitsWhat you'll need
- An assessment by your county Area Agency on Aging
- Proof of income, used to set your share of the cost
- Proof of Pennsylvania residency and of citizenship or lawful permanent residence
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
Step by step
- Contact your county Area Agency on Aging to request an OPTIONS assessment — this is the required first step to determine eligibility and identify which services can meet your needs.
- Gather proof of income, which will be used to set your share of the cost if your income is above the program threshold.
- Gather proof of Pennsylvania residency and proof of US citizenship or lawful permanent residence.
- Apply online through the Pennsylvania application portal to formally start your request for services.
- Complete the in-home assessment scheduled by your Area Agency on Aging — a staff member will evaluate your physical or mental health frailty and unmet needs.
- Review the care plan your Area Agency on Aging develops based on the assessment, which outlines the services arranged for you.
What to expect: After submitting your application, your county Area Agency on Aging will contact you to schedule an in-person assessment. A staff member will review your health, living situation, and service needs to determine what OPTIONS can provide. If your income falls between 133% and 300% of the federal poverty level, you will be asked to pay a share of the cost on a sliding scale — the program is not free for everyone. Processing times vary, so ask your Area Agency on Aging for an estimate of how long the process takes in your county. Because each of the 52 Area Agencies runs the program locally, available services and wait times can differ by county. OPTIONS has no set end date, but your eligibility and care plan will be reviewed through periodic reassessments to make sure services still match your needs. The agency makes the final decision on eligibility and services.
Renewals
ongoing, with periodic reassessment
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Discover my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.