Philadelphia Senior Resource Guide: Local Programs for Older Adults and Caregivers
Philadelphia Senior Resource Guide: Local Programs for Older Adults and Caregivers
Short answer: Philadelphia offers dozens of programs for older adults, from free transit and home-delivered meals to utility grants and property tax relief. This guide connects you directly to the official local agencies that manage these benefits.
- The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) Helpline is your starting point for meals, home repairs, and in-home assessments.
- Adults 65 and older ride SEPTA transit for free and get reduced fares on shared rides.
- The County Assistance Office handles Medicaid, SNAP, and LIHEAP applications.
- Homeowners and renters can apply for property tax freezes and state rebates to lower housing costs.
- Family caregivers can sometimes get paid through Medicaid CHC to care for a relative at home.
Key phone numbers
When you need help finding services, start with the primary agencies that manage Philadelphia’s aging and disability programs.
| Agency or Program | Phone Number | What They Do |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) Helpline | 215-765-9040 | In-home assessments, meals, Caregiver Support Program, and 24/7 Older Adult Protective Services. |
| Philadelphia County Assistance Office (CAO) | 215-560-7226 | Processes applications for Medicaid, SNAP, cash assistance, and LIHEAP. |
| Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB) | 1-877-550-4227 | Starts the Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver application for long-term care. |
| PA Health Law Project (PHLP) | 1-800-274-3258 | Free legal help with Medicaid, Medicare, and CHC waiver appeals. |
| PA SeniorLAW HelpLine | 1-877-727-7529 | Free legal advice for Pennsylvanians 60 and older. |
Getting around
Adults 65 and older can ride free on SEPTA buses, trolleys, subways, and Regional Rail in Pennsylvania. You need a SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card to ride for free. Newer PennDOT IDs have no magnetic strip and do not work as a fare card.
If you need door-to-door service, Philadelphia residents 65 and older can use the CCT Connect Shared Ride Program. You must register in advance to book space-available shared rides for a reduced fare (reported as $4.25 one way in 2025; confirm with SEPTA).
Food and community
Proper nutrition and social connection help older adults stay healthy. PCA funds home-delivered meals for frail older individuals who cannot cook or shop and have no one to help prepare food.
For those who can leave the house, PCA helps fund 28 senior community centers where any city resident 60 or older can eat a weekday lunch. Centers also offer exercise classes, art workshops, and trips. If you care for a loved one who needs daytime supervision, adult day centers provide personal care, meals, and therapeutic activities in a group setting while you work or take a break.
If your family needs help at home, call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000 or submit our “I am a client” form to discuss your care options.
Money and benefits
The Philadelphia County Assistance Office (CAO) processes applications for Medical Assistance (Medicaid), SNAP, and LIHEAP. During the winter season, LIHEAP cash and crisis grants help low-income households pay heating bills or prevent utility shutoffs.
Homeowners and renters can lower their housing costs through city and state programs. The city’s Low-Income Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze freezes your real estate tax amount, while the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program provides annual rebates up to $1,000 for eligible residents 65 and older.
For help with prescription costs, Pennsylvania offers PACE and PACENET. These programs lower copays for residents 65 and older who meet income limits. A 2025 law raised the PACENET limits starting July 1, 2026; check the current figures with the PA Department of Aging.
Home and housing
If you are looking for an apartment, the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) manages designated senior-only developments for residents 55 and older. Private and nonprofit senior apartments set their own age and income rules.
If you want to stay in your current home but need safety updates, the city offers free home repair programs. The PCA Senior Housing Assistance Repair Program (SHARP) helps homeowners 60 and older with minor repairs and modifications like grab bars and smoke alarms. The city’s Basic Systems Repair Program (BSRP) fixes electrical, plumbing, and heating emergencies for income-eligible homeowners.
Legal help and hospital stays
Older adults often need help with wills, powers of attorney, or housing disputes. You can find free civil legal help through the SeniorLAW Center or Community Legal Services. The PA Health Law Project (PHLP) provides free legal assistance specifically for Medicaid and CHC waiver appeals.
When a loved one is admitted to the hospital, planning for their return home begins right away. If you believe a hospital discharge is happening too early, you can appeal the decision by contacting the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) listed on your “Important Message from Medicare” notice before midnight on the day of discharge.
Care at home
For in-depth guides on Medicaid, care options, dementia and caregiving, see our home care resources library. Many older adults eventually need hands-on help with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and eating. As a Philadelphia home care agency, New Century Home Care provides these non-medical services.
Family members can sometimes be hired as paid caregivers through the Medicaid Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver. You can get paid to care for a relative, but the CHC waiver will not pay services furnished by the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney.
To learn more about setting up home care services for your loved one, call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000 or fill out our “I am a client” form online.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I call to report elder abuse in Philadelphia?
To report suspected elder abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect, call the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) 24/7 Helpline at 215-765-9040. Reports can be made anonymously. If the person is in immediate danger, call 911 right away.
Where do I apply for Medicaid in Philadelphia?
You can apply for Medicaid through the Philadelphia County Assistance Office. Apply online using the COMPASS website, by calling 1-866-550-4355, or by submitting a paper application. If you need the CHC waiver for long-term home care, start by calling the Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227.
How do older adults get free transportation in Philadelphia?
Adults 65 and older can ride SEPTA buses, subways, and Regional Rail in Pennsylvania for free using a SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card. You can apply for this card at participating State Senate and State House district offices or at SEPTA Headquarters.
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