Senior benefits in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

Lackawanna CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Lackawanna County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Lackawanna CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 570-963-4842. NEPA winter heating demand is among the highest in PA — apply early in the season.

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

Lackawanna County emergency aid: (1) Lackawanna CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (570-963-4525); (2) Lackawanna AAA for senior-specific case management (570-963-6740); (3) Lackawanna hospital safety net (570-703-8000); (4) COLTS (County of Lackawanna Transit System) + COLTS Shared Ride for transportation (570-346-2061); (5) Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton (covers all 11 NEPA counties — Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, Wyoming, Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan); (6) CEO's Weinberg Regional Food Bank (serves Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming and Susquehanna counties) + United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties; (7) Dollar Energy Fund. Dial 211 (211 NEPA) for general referrals.

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

Lackawanna County's principal community hospital safety net is Geisinger CMC (Scranton, Geisinger since 2012) is the academic teaching flagship; LVHN-Scranton (formerly Regional Hospital of Scranton, Commonwealth Health, ACQUIRED by LVHN 2024) and LVHN-Moses Taylor (formerly Moses Taylor Hospital, ACQUIRED 2024) — major LVHN expansion into Lackawanna. The 2024 acquisition ended Commonwealth Health's NEPA presence. Each system operates a Financial Assistance Program (sliding scale typically to 300-400% FPL). Note: PA Medicaid ABD is STRICT (~$989/month), so many low-income seniors fall above Medicaid and rely on hospital FAPs. NEPA hospital landscape was reshaped by the 2024 LVHN acquisition of Commonwealth Health's Scranton + Wilkes-Barre hospitals — now Geisinger + LVHN dominate the region. 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: 570-703-8000.

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

In this county: Lackawanna: Geisinger CMC (Scranton, Geisinger since 2012) is the academic teaching flagship; LVHN-Scranton (formerly Regional Hospital of Scranton, Commonwealth Health, ACQUIRED by LVHN 2024) and LVHN-Moses Taylor (formerly Moses Taylor Hospital, ACQUIRED 2024) — major LVHN expansion into Lackawanna. The 2024 acquisition ended Commonwealth Health's NEPA presence. NEPA reshaped by 2024 LVHN/Commonwealth Health consolidation.

SHARE (Shared Housing and Resource Exchange) is a Pennsylvania Department of Aging program, run through the local Area Agency on Aging, that matches homeowners who want to share their home with people looking for housing. In return the home seeker helps with living expenses, household tasks, or both. At least one person in the match must be over 60, and everyone must be 18 or older. A SHARE Housing Counselor does reference and background checks, introduces matches, writes the home-sharing agreement, and stays in touch after the move. Call the Lackawanna County SHARE Housing Counselor at 570-840-3233.

Lackawanna 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 transportation enrollment; Caregiver Support; Protective Services; Aging Waiver Care Management. Apply by calling Lackawanna AAA at 570-963-6740 or emailing aging@lackawannacounty.org.

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

COLTS (County of Lackawanna Transit System) + COLTS Shared Ride covers Lackawanna County. County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) operates fixed-route bus across Scranton metro + commuter routes to Wilkes-Barre. PA Senior Free Transit Program FREE for age 65+ on fixed-route. Shared Ride program for medical and essential trips. Connections to LCTA at Pittston (Luzerne border). 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 Lackawanna AAA at 570-963-6740.

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