Senior benefits in Pike County, Pennsylvania

Pike CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Pike County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Pike CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 570-296-6114. NEPA winter heating demand is among the highest in PA — apply early in the season.

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

Pike County emergency aid: (1) Pike CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (570-296-6114); (2) Pike AAA for senior-specific case management (570-775-5550); (3) Pike hospital safety net (570-253-8100); (4) Pike County Transportation for transportation (570-296-3408); (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) Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank (serves Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Wayne) + United Way of Wyoming Valley; (7) Dollar Energy Fund. Dial 211 (211 NEPA) for general referrals.

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

Pike County's principal community hospital safety net is Pike County has NO HOSPITAL in-county (smallest in-county hospital footprint of any PA county modeled). Residents access Wayne Memorial (Honesdale, ~30 min), LVH-Pocono (East Stroudsburg, ~45 min), St. Luke's Monroe, or cross-border NJ/NY hospitals (Newton Medical Center NJ; Bon Secours Port Jervis NY). 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.wmh.org/billing-and-financial-services. Phone: 570-253-8100.

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

In this county: Pike: Pike County has NO HOSPITAL in-county (smallest in-county hospital footprint of any PA county modeled). Residents access Wayne Memorial (Honesdale, ~30 min), LVH-Pocono (East Stroudsburg, ~45 min), St. Luke's Monroe, or cross-border NJ/NY hospitals (Newton Medical Center NJ; Bon Secours Port Jervis NY). 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 Pike County SHARE Housing Counselor at 570-832-5133.

Pike 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 Pike AAA at 570-775-5550 or emailing aging@pikepa.org.

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

Pike County Transportation runs door-to-door shared ride service for county residents. There is no fixed-route bus in Pike County. Seniors 65 and older can ride at a discount through the Senior Shared Ride program, with most of the fare paid by the Pennsylvania Lottery. Rides go to the senior centers in Blooming Grove, Lackawaxen and Bushkill, and to medical visits, banking, grocery shopping and the post office. Call 570-296-3408 (toll-free 866-681-4947), Monday to Friday, to apply or book a ride. You can also call the Pike County Area Agency on Aging at 570-775-5550.

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