Benefits for seniors in Pennsylvania

Medicaid for people 65 and over

Pennsylvania's Medicaid program is called Medical Assistance. People 65+, blind or disabled qualify under rules that count income and savings.

• Income: The main group for older adults has a net income limit of about $1,016.10 a month for one person and $1,524.30 for two. "Net" means some income is not counted, so apply even if you are a little over.
• Savings (resources): $2,000 for one person, $3,000 for two.
• Medically Needy Only: If your income is higher, you may still qualify once large medical bills are subtracted. The net income limit is $425 a month for one person, with a resource limit of $2,400.
• What it covers: Doctors, hospital care, prescriptions and more. With Medicare, MA fills many gaps.

Long-term care. MA can pay for a nursing home or for care at home. For 2026, the income limit is $2,982 a month for one person. The resource limit is $2,000, plus an extra $6,000 that is not counted. If you are married and your spouse stays at home, your spouse can keep half of the couple's savings, at least $32,532 and no more than $162,660. DHS looks back 60 months at gifts or sales below fair value.

Estate recovery. After death, Pennsylvania may seek repayment from the estate for long-term care paid after age 55. Hardship waivers exist. Call the Estate Recovery Program at (800) 528-3708.

Help paying Medicare costs

Pennsylvania calls its Medicare Savings Programs Healthy Horizons or Medicare Buy-In. They use the federal income limits:

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. Income up to $1,350 a month for one person, $1,824 for a couple.
• SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to $1,616 a month for one person, $2,184 for a couple.
• QI-1 (Qualifying Individual): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to $1,816 a month for one person, $2,455 for a couple.
• Savings limit: $9,950 for one person, $14,910 for a couple. A lower limit applies if you also want full MA coverage with QMB.

If you get any of these programs, you also get Extra Help with Medicare drug costs automatically. To apply, use COMPASS or call DHS at 1-866-550-4355.

Prescription drug help

Pennsylvania has two state drug programs for people 65 and over, paid for by the Pennsylvania Lottery.

• PACE here means the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly. It is not the federal PACE care program. In Pennsylvania, that care program is called LIFE (see "Help staying at home").
• PACENET is a second tier for people with somewhat higher income.

Who qualifies: You must be 65 or older, have lived in Pennsylvania for at least 90 days, and not get your drugs through Medical Assistance. Limits use last year's gross income:

• PACE: $14,500 or less for one person; $17,700 or less for a married couple.
• PACENET: up to $33,500 for one person; up to $41,500 for a couple.

What you pay: For a 30-day supply, no more than $6 (generic) or $9 (brand) in PACE, and $8 or $15 in PACENET. PACENET members not in a Medicare drug plan also pay a 2026 premium of $32.71 at the pharmacy, only in months they use the card.

Works with Medicare: Joining a Part D plan is your choice, but the program encourages it. For PACE members, it pays Part D premiums for plans on its list, up to $32.71 a month. A state law keeps people enrolled if a Social Security raise pushes them over the limit, through December 31, 2027.

How to apply: Call 1-800-225-7223 or go to pacecares.primetherapeutics.com. If you do not qualify, ask about the PACE Clearinghouse, and check Extra Help.

Extra state payment with SSI

Pennsylvania adds a small state payment to the federal SSI payment: $22.10 a month for one person living in their own home.

• Who pays it: Since 2005, the state, not Social Security, has run this payment for most people living on their own. Social Security still handles it for people in some care homes and for those with an "essential person" who helps care for them.
• Care homes: The state adds much more in certain care homes. In 2026, the total monthly SSI payment for one person is $1,628.30 in domiciliary care and $1,633.30 in a personal care home.
• Questions: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

Food help

SNAP (food stamps) helps you buy groceries. From October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, most households qualify with gross income up to $2,660 a month for one person or $3,608 for two. The most one person can get is $306 a month ($562 for two).

• 60 or older or disabled: Under federal rules, your household only has to meet the net income limit, after allowed costs are taken off. Apply even if you are over the limit above.
• Simple application: A short form for households where everyone is 60+ or disabled, buys and prepares food together, and has no work earnings.
• Proof: Bring medical costs and proof of your housing and utility costs.
• Apply: On COMPASS, by mail, or at your county assistance office. COMPASS Helpline: 1-800-692-7462.

Other food help:

• Senior Food Box: A free monthly box of shelf-stable food for people over 60 with low income, through food banks.
• Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program: If you are 60+ with income up to $29,526 a year ($40,034 for two), you can get 5 checks worth $5 each for local produce. Ask your county aging office. First come, first served.
• Meals: Free meals for people 60+ and their spouses, at senior centers or delivered. Contact your Area Agency on Aging.

Help staying at home

• Community HealthChoices (CHC): Pennsylvania's managed care program for adults 21+ who have both Medicare and Medical Assistance, or who need nursing-home level care. It can pay for care at home instead. Call the Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227.
• LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly): Pennsylvania's version of the federal PACE care program. For people 55+ who need nursing-home level care but can live safely at home, where a provider serves. It covers doctors, drugs, day center care, home care, and rides. Find a provider through the enrollment broker at 1-877-550-4227.
• OPTIONS: A Department of Aging program for people 60 and over who need help with daily tasks. It can include personal care, home-delivered meals and adult day services. No income limit, but you may pay a share. Apply through your Area Agency on Aging.

Property tax and housing help

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program gives money back to homeowners and renters who are 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older.

• Income limit: $48,110 a year for the household. Only half of your Social Security, SSI and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits count.
• Rebate: Up to $1,000 if your income is $8,550 or less, scaling down to $380 at the top of the income range. Some homeowners with income of $32,070 or less can get a supplemental rebate of up to $500, depending on where they live.
• Deadline: The deadline to apply for the 2025 rebate is December 31, 2026.
• How to apply: Online at mypath.pa.gov, by mail, or with free help in person. Call 1-888-222-9190.

Help with energy bills

LIHEAP helps homeowners and renters with heating bills. The 2026-2027 season is scheduled to open November 2, 2026.

• Income limit: $23,940 a year for one person, $32,460 for two.
• Cash grant: $200 to $1,000, paid to your utility or fuel company. You do not pay it back.
• Crisis grant: For emergencies such as a shut-off notice, no fuel, or a broken furnace.
• Apply: On COMPASS or at your county assistance office. LIHEAP Hotline: 1-866-857-7095 (711 for hearing impaired).

Utility company programs. There is no state utility discount just for seniors. But electric and gas companies offer a Customer Assistance Program (CAP) with a lower bill based on income, hardship fund grants, and free energy-saving work (LIURP) for low-income customers. A doctor's medical certificate can help stop a shut-off. Ask your utility, or call the Public Utility Commission at 1-800-692-7380.

Free help and counseling

• PA MEDI: Pennsylvania's free State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Counselors help with Medicare choices, bills and appeals, and do not sell insurance. Call 1-800-783-7067, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Area Agencies on Aging: Pennsylvania has 52 local agencies. They run meals, OPTIONS, and PA MEDI counseling. Call the Department of Aging at 717-783-1550 to be connected to yours.
• PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources: Free help finding local services. Call 1-800-753-8827.
• Medicare fraud: Pennsylvania Senior Medicare Patrol, 800-356-3606.

How to apply

Phone numbers: Free help lines for Pennsylvania agencies

Check what you may qualify for