Senior benefits in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

Northumberland CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Northumberland County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Northumberland CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 570-988-5996. Application window typically November-April. Central PA winter heating demand is high.

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

Northumberland County emergency aid: (1) Northumberland CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (570-988-5900); (2) Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging for senior-specific case management (570-495-2395 or toll-free 1-877-622-2251); (3) Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital financial assistance (570-644-4200); (4) rabbittransit shared ride for transportation (1-800-632-9063); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Harrisburg (Northumberland is in the Harrisburg diocese); (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

Northumberland County's principal community hospital safety net is Geisinger Shamokin (Coal Township, Geisinger affiliate) and UPMC Sunbury (Sunbury, UPMC affiliate since 2020) — Northumberland's two principal community hospitals. Tertiary referrals route to Geisinger Medical Center (Montour) or UPMC Altoona. 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. Central PA hospital landscape is dominated by Geisinger Health System (anchored at Geisinger Medical Center Danville, Montour County) with UPMC and Guthrie expansions. 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: 570-644-4200.

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

In this county: Northumberland: Geisinger Shamokin (Coal Township, Geisinger affiliate) and UPMC Sunbury (Sunbury, UPMC affiliate since 2020) — Northumberland's two principal community hospitals. Tertiary referrals route to Geisinger Medical Center (Montour) or UPMC Altoona. Central PA = Geisinger heartland + UPMC/Guthrie/Conemaugh-LifePoint expansion.

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 Northumberland County SHARE Housing Counselor at 570-238-2868.

Northumberland 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: Union/Snyder/Northumberland share a single multi-county AAA — Union-Snyder-Northumberland Area Agency on Aging (USN Aging), headquartered in Sunbury. Apply by calling AAA at 570-495-2395 or emailing aging@northumberlandcountypa.gov/aging.

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

In this county: Northumberland: County AAA. APPRISE = PA's SHIP.NOTE: Union/Snyder/Northumberland share a single multi-county AAA — Union-Snyder-Northumberland Area Agency on Aging (USN Aging), headquartered in Sunbury.

rabbittransit runs door-to-door shared-ride vans in Northumberland County. Its Senior Shared Ride program serves people age 65 and older for any kind of trip, such as doctor visits, shopping or the senior center. The Pennsylvania Lottery pays most of the fare, so riders pay a small co-pay. Riders must apply before the first trip. Call rabbittransit Customer Service at 1-800-632-9063 to apply or book. In the Mount Carmel area, the Lower Anthracite Transit System (LATS) runs a fixed bus route. Riders age 65 and older ride LATS buses free with a senior ID card. Call LATS at 570-339-3956.

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

rabbittransit gives Northumberland County veterans free rides to VA medical care, including the Wilkes-Barre and Lebanon VA hospitals and the Pottsville, Bloomsburg, and Williamsport VA clinics. Service runs Monday through Friday. Reservations should be made by 1:30pm the day before (Friday for Monday appointments). Escorts are permitted and all vehicles are ADA-accessible. Complete a basic Shared Ride application in advance, then call 1-800-632-9063 (option 3) to schedule a trip.

Estimated service value: about $0 a year