Resources and Links
We hope that you find this page helpful, whether you are a volunteer,
a care receiver or agency staff. To report a problem with a link or
to request inclusion on this page, please email the website
administrator.
Information for Volunteers
IRS
Volunteer Deductions – Publication 526
Publication 526 explains how to claim/file a tax deduction for charitable
contributions as well as what types of information/documents are needed
when filing.
AARP
Caregiving
AARP’s Caregiving section provides information for caregivers
on caregiver stress, coping, and life changes as well as providing information
on resources and referrals to expand the network of care.
Family Caregiver
Alliance
The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) provides educational information
and fact sheets on public policy and new research, caregiving information
and resources, and health issues related to aging. FCA also provides
information in Spanish and Chinese.
University of
Pittsburgh Institute on Aging
University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging separates referrals and
resources into five sections for older adults, families and caregivers,
professionals in aging, researchers, and educators and students. Each
section contains events, information, and resources for different populations.
Information for Care Receivers (and their Volunteers)
CASH ASSISTANCE
PA Dept. of Welfare
Pennsylvania offers cash assistance to any low-income person/family,
based on rules and standards established by the Department of Public
Welfare. There are several categories of cash assistance.
CONSUMER ADVOCACY AND PROTECTION
Consumer Health Coalition
The Consumer Health Coalition (CHC) is a nonprofit agency dedicated
to helping individuals obtain and utilize health services. For more
information call 412-456-1877
The Ombudsman
Program
Local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) host the Ombudsman Program, an advocacy
program for older adults in long-term care facilities such as nursing
homes, personal care homes, domiciliary care, and adult day services.
The Ombudsman takes complaints and acts as a confidential mediator and
advocate for the older adult. Call 717-541-4214. In Allegheny County,
call 412-350-5460
Southwestern Pennsylvania
Partnership for Aging
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for Aging (SWPPA) is a regional
coalition to advocate for policies and programs that enhance the quality
of life for the aging population. For more information call 724-779-3200.
Ursuline
Senior Services – Allegheny County only
The Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging refers individuals without
a responsible caregiver to the Public Guardianship Program through Ursuline
Senior Services, Inc. Guardians manage the older adult’s funds
and property for the individual’s benefit.
For more information call 412.683.0400 ext. 258.
DEPRESSION
Late
Life Depression Evaluation and Treatment Center - Allegheny County
only
The Late Life Depression Evaluation and Treatment Center provides easy
to read information on depression and contact and referral information
for treatment.
FOOD ASSISTANCE
Emergency
Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
The Emergency Food Assistance Program, run by the Department of Agriculture,
provides food and commodities to low-income individuals through food
pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other agencies that provide food
assistance to needy individuals.
Food Stamps
The Food Stamp Program is a nutrition assistance program that provides
added income to increase the purchasing power of low-income households
to buy nutritious foods. Food Stamps are not part of welfare.
Hunger Services Network at the Urban League - Allegheny
County only
The Hunger Services Network connects individuals requiring urgent food
assistance with a suitable program. To receive assistance, call Emergency
Food Assistance Hotline at 412-681-1121.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is a nutrition assistance program that delivers cooked
meals five days a week for a small fee.
North Hills
Community Outreach operates two food pantries in Hampton and Bellevue.
NHCO also offers Senior Commodities (extra food for low-income seniors).
Income restrictions apply. Call 412-487-6316 for more information.
Pennsylvania Nutrition
Education Program (PA NEP)
The Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Program offers recipes and guidance
to individuals buying foods through the Food Stamp program to incorporate
cost-effective buying and healthy cooking.
GENERAL
Area
Agency on Aging
The state-wide Area Agency on Aging (AAA) serves to link county Area
Agencies on Aging throughout Pennsylvania to provide comprehensive care.
Allegheny
County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging
With a mission of planning, organizing, coordinating, convening, programming
and funding, where possible, services to the elderly of Allegheny County,
the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) provides services, referrals and resources
to seniors (60+) looking for many different types of assistance.
COMPASS
(Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services)
COMPASS enables individuals to apply online for social services including
Health Care Coverage, Food Stamp Benefits, Cast Assistance, Long-Term
Living Services, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and Free
or Reduced Price School Meals.
Medicare
Social Security Administration
Southwestern Pennsylvania
Area Agency on Aging
Serving Washington, Fayette, and Greene Counties, the Southwestern Pennsylvania
Area Agency on Aging provides Protective Services, Care Management,
Home Delivered Meals, Adult Day Care, Family Caregiver Support, APPRISE
(Health Insurance Counseling), Senior Centers, In-Home Services, PDA
Waiver, Ombudsman Program, Employment Assistance, Legal Assistance,
Transportation, and more.
• For information and referrals call 724-489-8080 ext. 4430
• For Greene County call 724-852-1510
• For Fayette County call 724-430-4603
• For Washington County call 724-228-7080
U.S. Department of Veteran
Affairs
Westmoreland
County Area Agency on Aging provides Information and Referral services
for transportation, vision, legal services, Ombudsman Program, Senior
Centers, State Lottery Benefit Programs, Carrier Alert, Long-Term Care/Housing
Information, Respite Services, Information Line, Phone for Seniors and
Financial Benefits. The AAA Care Manager also coordinates In-Home Services
including Assessments, Personal Assistance Services, Adult Day Care,
Personal Care, Home Support, Home Delivered Meals/Meals on Wheels, Caregiver
Relief, Placement in Domiciliary Care, Aging Waiver Program, Nursing
Home Transition and Care Management. Finally, the AAA provides Older
Adults Protective Services to reduce or eliminate abuse, neglect or
financial exploitation and abandonment.
• For the Main Office in Greensburg call 724-830-4444 or toll
free at 1-800-442-8000
• For the Monessen Office call 724-684-3141 or toll free at 1-800-339-9454
• For the Outreach Site in Latrobe call 724-830-4444 or toll free
at 1-800-442-8000
HEALTH
APPRISE
counselors can answer questions about Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, long-term
care insurance, Medicare Advantage Plans and the new Medicare prescription
drug benefit and help assist individuals to determine the best health
plan to suit their needs. For more information call 1-800-783-7067.
Department
of Health
The Department of Health runs specialized programs to provide information
and resources on Arthritis, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke, and
Osteoporosis.
For more information call 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).
Healthy
Horizons
Run by the Department of Welfare, Healthy Horizons can help pay for
Medicare premium payments through Medicaid for the elderly individuals
and adults with disabilities. For more information call 1-800-842-2020.
Long-Term
Living Services
The Department of Public Welfare provides Long-Term Living Services
to help older adults and adults with disabilities under 60 live independently.
To find out more information about home health care services, personal
care, housekeeping, shopping assistance, laundry, caregiver relief,
transportation, assistance with routine house chores and home-deliver
meals.
Medigap
Medigap is a health insurance policy sold by private insurance companies
to fill the “gaps” in services Medicare does not cover.
HOUSING
Home Modifications and Adaptations
Financial assistance for ramps, grab bars, stair glides, and other types
of home adaptations to increase accessibility for people with disabilities
is provided by the Department of Aging, Department of Community and
Economic Development, Department of Labor & Industry, and Department
of Public Welfare. For more information call Health & Human Services
Call Center at 1-866-286-3636.
Allegheny
County Housing Counseling Services
Allegheny County Housing Counseling Services (ACHCS) can help with information
on housing units, balancing household budgets, working out problems
with landlords, real estate transactions, spotting discrimination and
fighting it, surviving house crises, preventing eviction, and pre-purchasing
counseling and education. For more information call 412-227-4802.
Pennsylvania
Housing Finance Agency
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) can provide Homeowner’s
Emergency Mortgage Assistance Programs. Under Act 91 of 1983, the Homeowner’s
Emergency Mortgage Assistance Programs (HEMAP) can provide continuing
mortgage assistance or non-continuing mortgage assistance loans to individuals
and families. With continuing mortgage assistance loans, HEMAP would
bring the mortgage payments up to date and then subsidize their mortgage
payments. With non-continuing mortgage payments, HEMAP would bring the
mortgage payments up to date and then the family would be responsible
for subsequent payments. For more information call 717-780-3800 or 412-429-2842.
For the deaf and hearing impaired, call 717-780-1869 for a TTY Machine.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
A living will, or treatment directive, lists your wishes
about end-of-life medical treatment. It is used if you no longer have
the ability to make decisions or communicate. Medical Power of Attorney
is a legal document that lets you appoint someone (usually called a
health care agent or proxy) to make decisions about your medical care.”
For an example, visit the PA
Department of Aging website, Or visit the Allegheny
County Medical Society's site for forms and more information.
Elderlaw Clinic
At Elderlaw Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Law Students provide advice
to seniors on many issues, including preparation of living wills. For
more information call 412-648-1300.
AARP Legal Services
Network
The AARP Legal Services Network provides a free initial consultation
up to 30 minutes with a local attorney who meets AARPs standards. The
attorney can discuss living wills and medical power of attorney with
older adults. For more information call 1-888-687-2277.
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
The
University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging provides a comprehensive
list of Home-Care and Medical Equipment organizations that older adults
can contact for their home-health care or medical equipment needs. These
programs are local as well as state-wide programs.
PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE
Medicare
Part D Prescription Drug Coverage is part of the Medicare Prescription
Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. For more information
about eligibility, please visit their website.
PACE
(Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly) and PACENET (PACE
Needs Enhancement Tier) provide pharmaceutical benefits for older Pennsylvanians.
For more information call 1-800-225-7223.
The Rx Council
of Western PA can link consumers with the low- and no-cost programs
the pharmaceutical industry offers. After filling out the paperwork,
the Rx Council will complete all the necessary forms to help link the
consumer with the programs. For more information call 412-471-9570 or
toll-free at 1-866-794-3571.
The RxOutreach
is a patient assistance program that makes over 110 FDA-approved medications
available for between $20 to $30 per 90 day supply. Individuals need
to be at or below 250% of the federal poverty level to qualify. For
more information call 1-800-769-3880.
SAFETY
Safety for Seniors
Program - Allegheny County only
The Safety for Seniors Program, run by Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers
of Southwestern Pennsylvania, provides a home safety check for seniors
as well as prevention education and safety modifications. For more information
call 412-345-7420.
TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE
Lifeline Service
provides qualified low-income individuals a discounted monthly amount
on each bill from the local telephone company or can receive free line
connection. For more information call 1-800-640-4155.
Universal
Telecommunications Assistance Program
The Universal Telecommunications Assistance Program helps individuals
pay overdue phone bills for basic telephone services used in times of
crisis. For more information call 1-800-640-4155.
TRANSPORTATION –
Allegheny County only
Access/ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) provides
transportation for Allegheny County residents who are functionally unable
to use PAT buses under certain circumstances, either temporarily or
permanently. For more information call 412-562-5353. For the dear and
hearing impaired, TDD service is available at 1-800-654-5984.
Access 65+ is for Allegheny County residents over
65 to provide transportation for any purpose. For more information call
412-562-5353. For the deaf and hearing impaired, TDD service is available
at 1-800-654-5984.
The Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP)
is a free service that provides Allegheny County residents who are Medical
Assistance recipients, are unable to use the PAT bus, and have an ACCESS
card with transportation to medical services only. For more information
call 1-888-547-MATP (6287).
Older Persons Transportation (OPT) is sponsored by
the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging and provides reduced rate
tickets for seniors age 60 and older who are an Allegheny County resident
and meet the program guidelines. Trips should be for general medical
care, care management as prescribed, life support, groceries, adult
day care and Senior Centers. For more information call 412-562-5385
for OPT, 412-350-4076 for approval. For the deaf and hearing impaired,
TDD service is available at 1-800-654-5984.
UTILITY ASSISTANCE
Crisis Assistance
Income-eligible households can apply for crisis assistance in the event
of or in danger of their services being turned off. In Allegheny County,
call 412-350-5869 for more information.
Customer
Assistance Programs (CAP) are a service to lower your monthly bill
or remove an owned amount from your bill. Select companies use CAP.
Low-Income
Usage Reduction Program (LIURP)
The Low-Income Usage Reduction Program is a program to install energy
saving features into low-income households in order to lower the amount
of electricity and gas used monthly.
Low-Income
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
provides energy assistance grants to help low income people pay their
heating bills.
For more information call 412-565-2146 or 1-866-857-7095. For individuals
who are hearing impaired can call the TDD number at 1-800-451-5886.
$1 Energy Fund
provides counseling and financial assistance for qualified low-income
individuals.
Participating Utility Companies for Allegheny County:
• Columbia
Gas of Pennsylvania
• Dominion
Peoples
• Duquesne
Light
• Equitable
Gas of Pennsylvania
