American Association of Retired Persons
601 E. Street NW
Washington, DC 20049

Phone:

1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277)

Website:

http://www.aarp.org/states/pa/

Description:

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan member organization devoted to the health and well-being of adults over age 50. The gives regular updates on local news, volunteering opportunities, special events, advocacy tips, and other important state-specific information.

APPRISE (a service of the Pennsylvania Area Agencies on Aging)

Phone:

800-344-4319

Description:

APPRISE is a free health insurance counseling program designed to help Pennsylvanians age 60 and over with health insurance concerns.

APPRISE counselors are specially trained volunteers who can answer questions about Medicare, provide objective, easy-to-understand information about health insurance.

BenefitsCheckUpRx

Website:

http://www.benefitscheckup.org

Description:

BenefitsCheckUpRx is a free and completely confidential service of the National Council on the Aging designed to help you identify and enroll in pubic and private programs that help you save the most money on prescription drugs. It does not require your name, address, phone number, or Social Security number. BenefitsCheckUpRx was developed to address a problem: millions of older adults are eligible for benefits, but are not receiving them.

Ask Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore MD 21244-1850

Website:

http://www.medicare.gov/caregivers/caregiver-topics-support.html

Description:

A one-stop website that provides easy access to useful information about Medicare and other essential resources to help with caregiving. Provides links to key partner organizations that assist caregivers and beneficiaries, and presents personal stories from caregivers in the community.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore MD 21244-1850

Phone:

800-638-6833

Website:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov

Description:

CMS has free booklets about Medicare coverage and other health related topics, including information about Medicare and Medigap policies.

Eldercare Locator

Phone:

800-677-1116
(weekdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST)

Website:

http://www.eldercare.gov

Description:

Since 1991, the Eldercare Locator, a nationwide toll-free service, has helped older adults and their caregivers find local services for older adults. The U.S. Administration on Aging offers this service on-line so consumers can easily link to the information and referral (I&R) services of their state and area agencies on aging.

ElderWeb

Website:

http://www.elderweb.com/default.php?PageID=1610

Description:

ElderWeb is designed as a research site geared to both professionals and family members looking for information on elder care and long-term care issues such as legal, financial, medical, and housing concerns. Eldercare also contains a searchable database of elder care-related organizations.

Internal Revenue Services
Department of the Treasury

Website:

http://www.irs.gov

Description:

This website provides federal tax information and forms.

Medicare

Phone:

800-783-7067

Website:

http://www.medicare.gov/

Description:

For Medicare beneficiaries, APPRISE (Pennsylvania’s health insurance assistance program) provides free counseling about health insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare.

Medicare Rights Center (MRC)
520 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
North Wing, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10018

Phone:

212-869-3850

Website:

http://www.medicarerights.org

Description:

The MRC is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to ensuring that older adults and people with disabilities get good, affordable health care. The MRC website is a helpful, reliable, independent source of Medicare information for consumers and professionals.

Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
525 South 29th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104

Phone:

717-541-4214

Website:

http://www.p4a.org/

Description:

The AAA has come to represent both the best interests of older Pennsylvanians and its AAA membership by fostering collaboration in areas of advocacy, leadership, training and policy. Each county has specific information listed about services and contacts within this association. The AAA offers programs that help people modify their homes or secure home financing so they can stay in their homes, and the agencies offer help in setting up domiciliary (group home) placements.
OPTIONS assessment:
Most of the home-based services that Pennsylvania Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) provide are offered in accordance with its OPTIONS Assessment Program. AAA also offers programs that help people modify their homes or secure home financing so they can stay in their homes, and the agencies offer help in setting up domiciliary ("group-home") placements.

Services are provided to persons 60 years of age and over, if they meet the criteria that may include income eligibility, generally homebound people, and a possible requirement of 24-hour informal and formal support. The assessment is completed by the staff of the Area Agencies on Aging.

If a person is found to be appropriate for in-home services, a comprehensive plan of care is developed with linkages to community-based services and resources.

These non-profit agencies will do assessments for people of all ages. Assessments for those applying for Medicaid-funded services or nursing home care are always done by these agencies.

Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA)
100 South St.
P.O. Box 186
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0186

Website:

http://www.pabar.org

Description:

The PBA Senior Lawyers Committee has published “A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens,” which provides valuable information to senior citizens on a variety of legal topics.

Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA)
555 Walnut Street, 5th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1919

Phone:

717-783-1550

Website:

http://www.aging.state.pa.us/

Description:

The PDA website outlines the services and programs available to older Pennsylvanians through local Area Agencies on Aging. To access the services for older adults, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.

State and Local Government on the Net

Website:

http://www.statelocalgov.net/index.cfm

Description:

This website includes listings of state and local government resources.

U.S. Veterans Administration, Department of Veteran Affairs

Phone:

877-222-8387 (1-877-222-VETS)

Website:

http://www.va.gov/

Description:

This website will help you find out if you are eligible for benefits, how to apply, and what it will cost. You can complete an application form online or contact the VA Health Benefits Service Center.

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW)

Phone:

717-787-1870
800-692-7462 (Helpline)

Website:

http://www.dpw.state.pa.us

Description:

The DPW oversees all children, youth & families, mental health, intellectual disability, income maintenance, medical assistance, and social programs. The department regulates senior-living facilities. Through the County Assistance Offices, DPW administers the General Assistance Program, food stamps, and other services.

A listing of all licensed personal care homes in the state can be obtained through the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Personal Care Licensing Office “Personal Home Care Facility On-Line Directory”. The department can also provide information about licensing and compliance.

Pennsylvania Department of Revenue – PA Taxes

Website:

http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/

Description:

This website provides state tax information and forms.

Social Security Administration
Office of Public Inquiries
Windsor Park Building
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235

Phone:

800-772-1213
(7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday)

Website:

http://www.ssa.gov/

Description:

This website provides extensive information on Social Security benefits, answers commonly asked questions, and provides access to important Social Security forms and an on-line retirement planning tool.