Senior benefits in Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Franklin CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Franklin County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Franklin CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 717-262-6579.

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

Franklin County emergency aid: (1) Franklin CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (717-264-6121); (2) Franklin AAA for senior-specific case management (717-263-2153); (3) Franklin hospital safety net (717-267-3000); (4) rabbittransit (Franklin County service) for transportation (717-846-7433); (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

Franklin County's principal community hospital safety net is WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital (Chambersburg, WellSpan Health flagship for Franklin) + WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital (southern Franklin) — both WellSpan. Tertiary referrals route to WellSpan York Hospital or Penn State Hershey. 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 at https://www.wellspan.org/patient-resources/billing-and-insurance/financial-assistance. Phone: 717-267-3000.

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

In this county: Franklin: WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital (Chambersburg, WellSpan Health flagship for Franklin) + WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital (southern Franklin) — both WellSpan. Tertiary referrals route to WellSpan York Hospital or Penn State Hershey. SC rural PA = WellSpan (Adams/Franklin) + Penn Highlands (Huntingdon) + UPMC (Bedford) + Geisinger (Mifflin) + 3 counties with no in-county hospital (Fulton/Perry/Juniata).

Franklin 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 717-263-2153 (toll-free 800-642-6990).

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

rabbittransit (Franklin County service) covers Franklin County. rabbittransit serves Franklin County (Chambersburg, Waynesboro, Mercersburg). Cross-border MD connections at Hagerstown. PA Senior Free Transit Program FREE for age 65+ on fixed-route. NOTE: Franklin AAA also serves Fulton County (shared multi-county AAA). PA Senior Shared Ride program — seniors 65+ pay 15% of the fare and the Pennsylvania Lottery Fund pays the other 85%, in every county of the state. Apply for senior fare through the local transit authority or Franklin AAA at 717-263-2153.

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

rabbittransit gives Franklin County veterans free rides to VA medical care, including the Hagerstown VA Clinic and Martinsburg VA Hospital. Service runs Wednesdays. Reservations should be made by 1:30pm the day before (Friday for Monday appointments). Escorts are permitted and all vehicles are ADA-accessible. Complete a basic Shared Ride application in advance, then call 1-800-632-9063 (option 3) to schedule a trip.

Estimated service value: about $0 a year