Senior benefits in Clarion County, Pennsylvania

Clarion CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Clarion County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Clarion CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 814-226-1780.

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

Clarion County emergency aid: (1) Clarion CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (814-226-1700); (2) Clarion AAA for senior-specific case management (814-226-4640); (3) Clarion hospital safety net (814-226-9500); (4) Clarion County Transportation for transportation (814-226-7012); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie (covers NCPA counties — Clarion + Jefferson + Clearfield + Forest + Elk + Cameron) or Diocese of Pittsburgh (Greene/Fayette/Indiana/Somerset); (6) Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank or Second Harvest NW PA; (7) Dollar Energy Fund. Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

Clarion County's principal community hospital safety net is Clarion Hospital (Clarion borough, Independence Health System since merger) is Clarion's principal community hospital. Tertiary referrals route to UPMC Pittsburgh or UPMC Altoona. Each system operates a Financial Assistance Program (sliding scale typically to 300-400% FPL). Note: PA Medicaid ABD is STRICT (~$989/month). SW rural PA hospital landscape: Penn Highlands Healthcare anchors NCPA (DuBois academic flagship), UPMC has Somerset + Bedford, Independence Health has Clarion, WVU Medicine extends cross-border into Fayette + Greene. Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or at https://www.independence.health/patients-visitors/financial-services/charity-care-financial-assistance/. Phone: 814-226-9500.

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

In this county: Clarion: Clarion Hospital (Clarion borough, Independence Health System since merger) is Clarion's principal community hospital. Tertiary referrals route to UPMC Pittsburgh or UPMC Altoona. SW rural PA = Penn Highlands (NCPA) + UPMC (Somerset) + Independence Health (Clarion) + WVU Medicine cross-border (Fayette/Greene) + independent Indiana Regional.

Clarion 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 814-226-4640 or emailing aging@co.clarion.pa.us.

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

Clarion County Transportation runs door-to-door Shared Ride service across Clarion County. In the Senior Shared Ride program, riders 65 and older get reduced fares paid in part by the Pennsylvania Lottery. To learn if you qualify or to schedule a ride, call 814-226-7012 or toll-free 1-800-672-7116. In the Clarion area, ATA's PennWest Clarion Loop bus is free for riders 65+ (ATA customer service: 1-866-282-4968). Clarion AAA: 814-226-4640.

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

In this county: Clarion: PA Senior Free Transit. ATA NCPA serves the 6-county NCPA region (Clarion + Jefferson + Clearfield in this batch; Cameron/Elk/McKean/Potter in next batch).