Senior benefits in Fulton County, Pennsylvania

This program helps people age 60 and older in Fulton 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 Fulton County office at 717-485-5151 to ask about services.

Fulton CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Fulton County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Fulton CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 717-485-3151.

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

Fulton County emergency aid: (1) Fulton CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (717-485-3151); (2) Fulton AAA for senior-specific case management (717-485-5151); (3) Fulton hospital safety net (717-485-3155); (4) CART Shared Ride (Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton AAA) 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

Fulton County's principal community hospital safety net is Fulton County Medical Center (McConnellsburg, critical access) provides in-county primary care; WellSpan Chambersburg (Franklin, ~30 min east) is the principal community hospital for most needs. Cross-border MD/WV access for some residents. 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.fcmcpa.org/getpage.php?name=Financial_Assistance. Phone: 717-485-3155.

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

In this county: Fulton: Fulton County Medical Center (McConnellsburg, critical access) provides in-county primary care; WellSpan Chambersburg (Franklin, ~30 min east) is the principal community hospital for most needs. Cross-border MD/WV access for some residents. SC rural PA = WellSpan (Adams/Franklin) + Penn Highlands (Huntingdon) + UPMC (Bedford) + Geisinger (Mifflin) + 3 counties with no in-county hospital (Fulton/Perry/Juniata).

The Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Area Agency on Aging (Fulton office, 182 Buchanan Trail, McConnellsburg) 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 717-485-5151 (toll-free 1-800-637-0315).

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

In this county: Fulton: served by the tri-county Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton AAA. APPRISE = PA's SHIP (now PA MEDI).

CART (Call-A-Ride-Transportation) is the Shared Ride program for Fulton, Bedford and Huntingdon counties. It is run by the Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Area Agency on Aging. Fulton County has no fixed-route bus. Riders 65 and older pay a reduced fare, with the Pennsylvania Lottery paying most of the cost. Rides go to medical visits, shopping, senior centers and more, Monday through Friday. Call by 2 p.m. the day before to book at 1-800-333-9004 or 814-635-3653. The AAA's Fulton office in McConnellsburg: 717-485-5151.

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