Senior benefits in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Montgomery CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Montgomery County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Montgomery CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 610-272-1752. Seniors age 60+ may also apply through Montgomery AAA (610-278-3601) for priority processing. Application window typically November-April.

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

Montgomery County emergency aid: (1) Montgomery County Assistance Office (CAO) for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (610-272-1752); (2) Montgomery AAA for senior-specific case management (610-278-3601); (3) Montgomery hospital safety net (484-337-3000); (4) SEPTA Senior Reduced Fare / SEPTA Access for transportation (215-580-7800); (5) Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (covers all 5 Philly-region counties — Philadelphia + Bucks/Chester/Delaware/Montgomery); (6) Philabundance regional food bank (Philadelphia-region food bank covering 4-county Philly Suburbs + Philadelphia); (7) county-specific safety-net partners (Bucks: Bucks County Housing Group; Chester: Open Hearth + Family Service of Chester County; Delaware: Catholic Charities Family Services; Montgomery: Manna on Main Street + Open Link). Dial 211 (211 Southeastern PA) for general referrals.

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

Montgomery County's principal community hospital safety net is Bryn Mawr Hospital + Lankenau (Main Line Health) anchor the Main Line corridor; Jefferson Abington Hospital (Jefferson Health since 2015) is the northern Montgomery flagship; Jefferson Einstein Montgomery (East Norriton); Redeemer (Meadowbrook). Tertiary referrals route to Philadelphia. Each system operates a Financial Assistance Program (sliding scale typically to 300-400% FPL). Note: PA Medicaid ABD is STRICT (~$989/month income), so many low-income suburban seniors fall above Medicaid and rely on hospital FAPs. The Philly Suburbs collectively have one of the most competitive hospital landscapes in the country — patients usually have choice between 3+ systems. Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or at https://www.mainlinehealth.org/patient-services/patient-billing/financial-assistance. Phone: 484-337-3000.

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

In this county: Montgomery: Bryn Mawr Hospital + Lankenau (Main Line Health) anchor the Main Line corridor; Jefferson Abington Hospital (Jefferson Health since 2015) is the northern Montgomery flagship; Jefferson Einstein Montgomery (East Norriton); Redeemer (Meadowbrook). Tertiary referrals route to Philadelphia. PA Medicaid ABD strict — many seniors fall above Medicaid line and rely on FAP.

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 Montgomery County SHARE Housing Counselor at 484-682-7804.

Montgomery County AAA serves seniors age 60+ and their caregivers. Services include: Title III Congregate Meals (at senior centers) + Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels); PA MEDI, formerly APPRISE (PA's SHIP — free Medicare counselling); PA Department of Aging Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act outreach; Caregiver Support; Protective Services (elder abuse investigations); Aging Waiver Care Management (community-based long-term services); PACE/PACENET enrollment assistance. Apply by calling Montgomery AAA at 610-278-3601 or emailing ossstaff@montgomerycountypa.gov.

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

SEPTA Reduced Fare for Seniors gives PA residents age 65+ FREE rides on SEPTA buses, subway, trolley, and Norristown High Speed Line (with a Senior Reduced Fare PA ID). Regional Rail offers a $1 fare for seniors. SEPTA serves Montgomery (Norristown, King of Prussia, Plymouth Meeting, Conshohocken, Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Wayne, Jenkintown, Abington, Glenside, Lansdale via Regional Rail multiple lines + Bus + Norristown High Speed Line). Senior Reduced Fare FREE bus/subway/trolley, $1 Regional Rail; SEPTA Access paratransit. SEPTA Access (renamed from CCT Connect on 2024-07-01; vehicles are still lettered CCT Connect) is SEPTA's ADA paratransit. Apply for the Senior Reduced Fare PA ID at any PA Department of Aging office, or get a SEPTA Key Senior at SEPTA's Center City office (1234 Market Street, Philadelphia). SEPTA Access: apply for eligibility assessment at 215-580-7700.

Estimated service value: $800–$3,500 a year