Senior benefits in Juniata County, Pennsylvania

Juniata CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Juniata County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Juniata CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 717-436-2158.

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

Juniata County emergency aid: (1) Juniata CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (717-436-2158); (2) Juniata AAA for senior-specific case management (717-242-0315); (3) Juniata hospital safety net (717-248-5411); (4) CARS (Call-A-Ride Service) for transportation (717-242-2277); (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

Juniata County's principal community hospital safety net is Juniata County has no in-county hospital. Residents access Geisinger Lewistown Hospital (Mifflin) for primary care; Penn State Hershey for tertiary. 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.geisinger.org/patient-care/patients-and-visitors/billing-and-insurance/need-help. Phone: 717-248-5411.

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

In this county: Juniata: Juniata County has no in-county hospital. Residents access Geisinger Lewistown Hospital (Mifflin) for primary care; Penn State Hershey for tertiary. SC rural PA = WellSpan (Adams/Franklin) + Penn Highlands (Huntingdon) + UPMC (Bedford) + Geisinger (Mifflin) + 3 counties with no in-county hospital (Fulton/Perry/Juniata).

Juniata 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. NOTE: Mifflin and Juniata SHARE the Aging Services of Mifflin-Juniata AAA — a documented PA multi-county AAA. Apply by calling AAA at 717-242-0315 or emailing info@mymjrsc.com.

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

In this county: Juniata: County AAA. APPRISE = PA's SHIP.NOTE: Mifflin and Juniata SHARE the Aging Services of Mifflin-Juniata AAA — a documented PA multi-county AAA.

CARS (Call-A-Ride Service) is a door-to-door shared ride service for anyone who lives in Mifflin or Juniata County. It goes to doctor visits, senior centers, stores and other local places, plus medical visits outside the county. Seniors 65 and older can ride through the Pennsylvania Senior Shared Ride program: the Pennsylvania Lottery pays most of the fare and the rider pays a small share. Call CARS at 717-242-2277 (toll-free 1-800-348-2277) to sign up and book a ride, or call Aging Services of Mifflin-Juniata at 717-242-0315.

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