Free help lines in Pennsylvania
State and local agencies that help older adults and their families in Pennsylvania. Calling them is free.
ESB (EverySeniorBenefits.com) is not a government agency. These numbers reach the agencies directly. We have no phone line of our own and never charge for help.
In an emergency, call 911.
Read the Pennsylvania benefits guide
Pennsylvania agencies
Medicaid and help paying Medicare costs
Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and Medicare Savings Programs
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
- Phone 1-866-550-4355 Apply by phone; also the Consumer Service Center for long-term care and home and community-based services applications; Or apply at your county assistance office
- Website pa.gov/agencies/dhs/programs-services/apply-for-benefits
- Online compass.dhs.pa.gov/home/#
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.pa.gov
Food help (SNAP)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
- Phone 1-800-692-7462 COMPASS/Benefits Helpline (cash assistance, SNAP, Medical Assistance)
- TTY 1-800-451-5886
- Website pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/snap/snap-older-adults
- Online compass.dhs.pa.gov/home/#
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.pa.gov
Free Medicare counseling
PA MEDI (Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight)
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
- Phone 1-800-783-7067
- Hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Website pa.gov/agencies/aging/aging-programs-and-services/pa-medi-medicare-counseling
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.pa.gov
Aging services and local help
PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
- Phone 1-800-753-8827 Toll-free helpline that connects you to local services, including your Area Agency on Aging
- Website pa.gov/agencies/aging/local-resources/pa-link-to-aging-and-disability-resources
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.pa.gov
Help with energy bills
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
- Phone 1-866-857-7095 LIHEAP Hotline; apply on COMPASS or at your county assistance office; The 2026-2027 season is scheduled to open November 2, 2026
- TTY 711
- Website pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/liheap
- Online compass.state.pa.us
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.pa.gov
Report abuse, neglect or exploitation
Report Elder Abuse (Older Adults Protective Services)
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
- Phone 1-800-490-8505 Statewide line to report abuse of an older adult or person with a disability
- Website pa.gov/agencies/aging/local-resources/pa-link-to-aging-and-disability-resources
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.pa.gov
Nursing home and assisted living complaints
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
- Phone 717-783-8975 Call the PA Long-term Care Office to connect with your local ombudsman
- Website pa.gov/services/aging/request-assistance-from-a-long-term-care-ombudsman
- Email [email protected]
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.pa.gov
Report Medicare fraud and billing errors
Pennsylvania Senior Medicare Patrol
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
- Phone 1-800-356-3606
- Website pa.gov/agencies/aging/aging-programs-and-services/pa-medi-medicare-counseling
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.pa.gov
Insurance questions and complaints
Consumer Services
Pennsylvania Insurance Department
- Phone 1-877-881-6388
- Website pa.gov/agencies/insurance
- Online pa.gov/agencies/insurance/consumer-help-center/complaints-questions-help
- Email [email protected]
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.pa.gov
Scams and consumer complaints
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
- Phone 1-800-441-2555
- Website attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/consumer-protection
- Online attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/consumer-en
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.attorneygeneral.gov
National help lines
Social Security national line
Social Security Administration
Call about retirement, disability, survivor or SSI benefits, Social Security cards, Medicare enrollment and replacement Medicare cards.
- Phone 1-800-772-1213
- TTY 1-800-325-0778
- Hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time; automated phone services 24 hours a day
- Languages Spanish and other-language pages at ssa.gov/es and ssa.gov/multilanguage
- Website ssa.gov
- Online Sign in to or create a my Social Security account (benefit letters, SSA-1099, direct deposit, address change, Statement)
Waits are usually shorter in the morning and later in the week and month. The automated line, open 24 hours, can send a benefit letter, a replacement SSA-1099 or Medicare card, and change your address or phone. Find a local office at ssa.gov/locator.
Checked on www.ssa.gov
1-800-MEDICARE
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Call about Medicare coverage, claims, bills, plan choices and enrollment, drug plans, and to report suspected Medicare fraud or file complaints.
- Phone 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE)
- TTY 1-877-486-2048
- Hours 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except some federal holidays); live chat same hours
- Languages Ask for an interpreter (medicare.gov/about-us/other-languages)
- Website medicare.gov
- Online Live chat with Medicare
This is also how to reach the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman: if your plan or 1-800-MEDICARE has not solved a problem, ask the representative to send your complaint to the Ombudsman. Drug and Medicare Advantage plan complaints can also be filed online at medicare.gov/my/medicare-complaint.
Checked on www.medicare.gov
Medicare quality help line (QIO)
Commence Health
Appeal if you think a hospital, nursing home or other Medicare provider is ending your care too soon, or complain about the quality of care.
- Phone 1-888-396-4646
- Website commencehealthqio.cms.gov
- Email [email protected]
Checked on www.commencehealthqio.cms.gov
Eldercare Locator
U.S. Administration for Community Living (run by USAging)
Find local help for older adults and caregivers: Area Agency on Aging, meals, transportation, in-home care, caregiver support, legal help and more.
- Phone 1-800-677-1116
- TTY 711
- Hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern
- Languages Spanish-speaking specialist by phone; interpretation in 150 languages during business hours
- Website eldercare.acl.gov
- Email [email protected]
TTY users: call 711 and ask the relay operator to connect you to 1-800-677-1116.
Checked on eldercare.acl.gov
National Elder Fraud Hotline
U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime
For people 60+ (or family) who lost money or were targeted by fraud; case managers help you report it and connect to resources.
- Phone 1-833-372-8311 (1-833-FRAUD-11)
- Hours Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern
- Website justice.gov/elderjustice/find-help-or-report-abuse
- Online Elder Justice locator for state and local resources
Checked on www.justice.gov
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (funded by SAMHSA)
Call, text or chat any time if you or someone you care about is in emotional distress, a mental health or substance use crisis, or thinking about suicide.
- Phone 988
- Text 988
- Hours 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Languages Spanish: press 2 when calling; Spanish text and chat available; interpretation services offered
- Website 988lifeline.org
- Online Chat with a counselor online
Phone menu: press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, press 2 for Spanish. Free and confidential. In immediate danger, call 911.
Checked on 988lifeline.org
Page last reviewed: 2026-10-18