Senior benefits in Potter County, Pennsylvania

Potter CAO delivers PA LIHEAP (Cash + Crisis + Crisis Interface) for Potter County residents. Same eligibility as the state program (~150% FPL). Apply through the Potter CAO office, at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), or by calling 814-274-4900. PA Wilds winter heating demand is high.

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

Potter County emergency aid: (1) Potter CAO for Cash Assistance / Emergency LIHEAP / Medicaid (814-274-4900); (2) Potter AAA for senior-specific case management (814-776-2191); (3) Potter hospital safety net (814-274-9300); (4) Area Transportation Authority of North Central PA (ATA NCPA) for transportation (1-866-282-4968); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie (covers NCPA) or Diocese of Scranton (covers Susquehanna PA Northern Tier); (6) Central Pennsylvania Food Bank or Second Harvest NW PA Food Bank; (7) Dollar Energy Fund. Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

Potter County's principal community hospital safety net is UPMC Cole (Coudersport) — formerly Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, now part of UPMC, so UPMC's Financial Assistance Policy applies: no charge at or below 300% FPL, and discounted rates from 301% to 400% FPL. Distinct from Potter TX. Cross-border NY referrals (Allegany NY). Note: PA Medicaid ABD is STRICT (~$989/month), so many low-income seniors fall above Medicaid and rely on hospital FAPs. Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or at https://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/paying-bill/services. Phone: 814-274-9300 (UPMC Cole main line).

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

In this county: Potter: UPMC Cole (Coudersport, formerly Charles Cole Memorial) is Potter PA's principal hospital. Distinct from Potter TX. Cross-border NY referrals (Allegany NY).

Potter 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: Elk/Cameron/Potter/McKean/Forest + Clarion/Jefferson/Clearfield share the Office of Aging of NCPA (Area Agency on Aging of North Central Pennsylvania) — the 8-county NCPA AAA. Distinctive — same NCPA region as Penn Highlands hospital network + ATA NCPA transit, all anchored in DuBois (Clearfield). Apply by calling the AAA at 814-776-2191, or use the state's Area Agency on Aging directory at pa.gov to find current contact details.

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

In this county: Potter: County AAA. APPRISE = PA's SHIP.NOTE: Elk/Cameron/Potter/McKean/Forest + Clarion/Jefferson/Clearfield share the Office of Aging of NCPA (Area Agency on Aging of North Central Pennsylvania) — the 8-county NCPA AAA. Distinctive — same NCPA region as Penn Highlands hospital network + ATA NCPA transit, all anchored in DuBois (Clearfield).

Area Transportation Authority of North Central PA (ATA NCPA) covers Potter County. ATA NCPA serves Potter County (Coudersport, Galeton) as part of its 6-county NCPA region. PA Senior Free Transit Program where available. NOTE: Potter PA is distinct from Potter TX (Amarillo area, already in catalog Panhandle TX). 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 Potter AAA at 814-776-2191.

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

In this county: Potter: PA Senior Free Transit + Senior Shared Ride. ATA NCPA now serves the full 6-county NCPA region (final batch closes Elk + Cameron + Potter + McKean + Forest).