Senior benefits in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania

This program helps people age 60 and older in Huntingdon 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 Huntingdon County office at 814-643-5115 to ask about services.

Huntingdon CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Huntingdon County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Huntingdon CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 814-643-4098.

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

Huntingdon County emergency aid: (1) Huntingdon CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (814-643-1170); (2) Huntingdon AAA for senior-specific case management (814-643-5115); (3) Huntingdon hospital safety net (814-643-2290); (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

Huntingdon County's principal community hospital safety net is Penn Highlands J.C. Blair Hospital (Huntingdon, Penn Highlands Healthcare since 2020) is Huntingdon's principal community hospital. Tertiary referrals route to UPMC Altoona 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.phhealthcare.org/patients-visitors/financial-assistance-program. Phone: 814-643-2290.

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

In this county: Huntingdon: Penn Highlands J.C. Blair Hospital (Huntingdon, Penn Highlands Healthcare since 2020) is Huntingdon's principal community hospital. Tertiary referrals route to UPMC Altoona 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).

Huntingdon 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 814-643-5115 or find contact details at huntingdoncountypa.gov.

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

Huntingdon 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 Huntingdon, Bedford 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. Applications for the Persons with Disabilities and Medical Assistance Transportation programs are handled in Huntingdon County by the Employment and Training Office at 814-641-6408.

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