Program

Special Qualifications for Immigrants & Refugees

Brief  Program Description

APPRISE

None

Primarily for seniors age 60 and older (younger with disabilities), APPRISE helps consumers understand their health insurance options and make sound decisions about what is best for them.

Attendant Transportation Service

Valid Passport or Naturalization Papers Required for Senior Citizen Transit Identification Card

Provides door–through- door and upper floor assistance to physically and/or mentally impaired residents of Philadelphia age 60 and older transported by SEPTA’S CCT-Connect Shared Ride Program. Must be certified by PCA to use this service. Must also be registered with SEPTA for the Shared Ride Program.   

Domiciliary Care

Medicaid Eligible or Private Pay

Matches adults age 18 and over who cannot live alone with individuals or families who are willing to open their homes to them.

Family Caregiver Support Program

None

This program helps those who are caring for a physically and/or mentally impaired person who is either 60 or older and unable to perform some of the self-care tasks necessary for daily living, or under age 60 with  a physician’s diagnosis of chronic dementia.

Legal Services

None

Legal service providers assist consumers age 60 and above with such matters as wills, benefits, taxes, small claims court, landlord-tenant disputes.

Nursing Home Transition

Medicaid eligibility is not necessary for the transitionservices. Once they leave, however, they may need to enroll in PDA waiver or other program that has Medicaid requirements.

Assists nursing home residents age 60 and older to return to community living.

Older Adult Protective Services

None

This program is available 24 hours a day for consumers age 60 and older to respond to reports of elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or abandonment.

Ombudsman Program

None

Staff and volunteer ombudsmen visit long term care facilities with the goal of handling complaints and helping to improve the quality of life for residents age 18 and older.

Options

None

Options services are provided to eligible consumers age 60 or older that have an ongoing need for assistance with multiple activities of daily living. These services are provided on a sliding fee scale, according to income and assets.

PDA Waiver

Must be able to verify citizenship with a birth or baptismal certificate, U.S. passport, naturalization papers, green card , “I-94 form, or other immigration documents.Certain “non-exempt qualified aliens” are ineligible for federally funded MA for 5 years.

Waiver services are provided to eligible consumers age 60 or older that have an ongoing need for assistance with multiple activities of daily living. Services are provided at no cost.

RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program)

None

Adults age 55 and older volunteer with Philadelphia organizations to assist with special projects and events. Tasks may include mentoring and tutoring children, distributing food to the needy and protecting our environment.

Senior Community  Centers

None

Offer information and referral, benefits assistance, meals, transportation, volunteer opportunities and social, recreational and educational activities to those 60 and older.  Proof of age required for all participants.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

None

SCSEP provides employment and job search training to income eligible persons age 55 and older.

Senior Companion Program

None

Income eligible seniors age 55 and above visit with the elderly or persons with disabilities who need assistance to remain in their homes.

SHARP (Senior Housing assistance & Repair Program)

None

Minor repairs and home modifications for homeowners age 60 and above.

Other Programs

Program

Special Qualifications for Immigrants & Refugees

Brief  Program Description

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps)

Legal immigrants are eligible for SNAP (food stamps) after they have been in the US for five years.  Some immigrants are eligible right away -- children, people receiving disability benefits, honorably discharged veterans or active service members in the US military, and immigrants in humanitarian categories such as refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian Entrants and trafficking victims.

Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for SNAP, but other members of their household (including children who are US citizens) may be. Immigrants who are “unqualified” for SNAP include, but are not limited to, undocumented immigrants, those on student or tourist visas and those with temporary protective status.

SNAP helps low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health. You apply for benefits by completing a State application form. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

U.S. citizens and qualified aliens are eligible.

This includes:

·         Legal permanent residents

·         Refugees and Asylees

·         Certain battered spouses and children

·         Cuban Haitian entrants

·         Persons granted withholding of deportation or removal

·         Persons paroled in the U.S.  for at least one year

LIHEAP has two parts. The cash grant is paid to help with heating bills. The Crisis grant is paid to stop a shutoff of utility service, or to get service turned back on, or to get fuel if a household is out of fuel or about to run out.

PACE (Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly)

 If no Social Security number, must document the reason.

To be eligible for PACE, you must be 65 years of age or older, a Pennsylvania resident for at least 90 days prior to the date of application, and you cannot be enrolled in the Department of Public Welfare’s Medicaid prescription benefit.

Property Tax Rent Rebate Program

None

Claimants or spouses must be 65 years of age or older; widows or widowers 50 years of age or older; and the permanently disabled 18 years of age or older may qualify for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

SEPTA’s “ Seniors Ride Free Program”

Valid Passport or Naturalization Papers Required for Senior Citizen Transit Identification Card

Offered on SEPTA’s fixed route service system, is available to seniors 65 or older, who may ride free of charge, 24 hours per day, every day of the week. Must show valid proof of age.

SEPTA’s CCT-Connect Shared Ride Program

Valid Passport or Naturalization Papers Required for Senior Citizen Transit Identification Card

This is a ride-sharing transportation service that provides door- to-door transportation to Philadelphia seniors age 65 or older on a space-available basis.  Must register with SEPTA CCT-Connect. Rider responsible for 15% of ride cost.