Senior benefits in Bedford County, Pennsylvania

This program helps people age 60 and older in Bedford County who are the main caregiver for a related child age 18 or younger living in the same home. It is run by the Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton aging office, which serves Bedford, Fulton and Huntingdon counties. Caregivers raising a child with an intellectual or developmental disability are served first. Call the Bedford County office at 814-623-8148 to ask about services.

Bedford CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Bedford County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Bedford CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 814-624-4072.

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

Bedford County emergency aid: (1) Bedford CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (814-623-6127); (2) Bedford AAA for senior-specific case management (814-623-8148); (3) Bedford hospital safety net (814-623-3500); (4) CART Shared Ride (Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Area Agency on Aging) for transportation (1-800-333-9004); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Harrisburg (15-county footprint includes Adams + Franklin + Perry + Juniata + Mifflin + Huntingdon + Bedford); (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

Bedford County's principal community hospital safety net is UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital (Everett, UPMC since 2014) is Bedford's principal community hospital. Tertiary referrals route to UPMC Altoona or UPMC Pittsburgh. Each system operates a Financial Assistance Program (sliding scale typically to 300-400% FPL). Note: PA Medicaid ABD is STRICT (~$989/month). South Central rural PA hospital landscape: WellSpan dominates Adams + Franklin; UPMC has Bedford; Penn Highlands has Huntingdon (J.C. Blair, 2020); Geisinger has Mifflin (Lewistown, 2017); Fulton + Perry + Juniata have no in-county hospitals (referral pattern). Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or online at https://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/paying-bill/services/apply. UPMC Financial Assistance Department: 1-800-371-8359 (option 2). Hospital main line: 814-623-3500.

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

In this county: Bedford: UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital (Everett, UPMC since 2014) is Bedford's principal community hospital. Tertiary referrals route to UPMC Altoona or UPMC Pittsburgh. SC rural PA = WellSpan (Adams/Franklin) + Penn Highlands (Huntingdon) + UPMC (Bedford) + Geisinger (Mifflin) + 3 counties with no in-county hospital (Fulton/Perry/Juniata).

Bedford 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. Apply by calling AAA at 814-623-8148 or emailing aging@bedfordcountypa.org.

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

Bedford County has no fixed-route bus system. Rides come from CART, a shared-ride service the Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Area Agency on Aging runs across Bedford, Huntingdon and Fulton counties. Riders age 65 and older pay a reduced per-trip fare that depends on how far they travel — rides are not free. Trips to a senior center are free for anyone age 60 and older. Book at least one day ahead by calling 1-800-333-9004 or 814-635-3653, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Riders must show proof of age and sign an age-verification form before the first trip. Applications for the Persons with Disabilities and Medical Assistance Transportation programs are handled in Bedford County by the Center for Community Action at 814-623-9129.

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

In this county: CART is shared-ride, not free fixed-route travel: fares are mileage-based and riders 65 and older pay a reduced rate. Trips to a senior center are free at 60 and older. Reservations are required. The agency makes the final decision. Not legal or financial advice.