You don’t have to face your challenges alone. Additional help is available for you and your loved one if you know where to look. The list below can offer a place to start.
As a Community HealthChoices Managed Care Organization, UPMC CHC does not cover Behavioral Health Services. Behavioral Health Managed Care Organizations (BH-MCO).
UPMC’s Disabilities Resource Center can help people with disabilities access care at any UPMC hospital or doctor’s office. The center offers a wide variety of services, including helping develop a plan for an upcoming hospital stay, helping providers understand the needs of patients with disabilities, and providing resources to address common barriers to health care.
Throughout Pennsylvania there are numerous Centers for Independent Living that provide resources and support to people with disabilities. Services provided include peer support, information and referral, independent living skills training, and much more.
UPMC Senior Services offers a help and referral line that is available for anyone who has questions about aging-related information and community resources. You can use this free service regardless of your location, level of need, or insurance. Staff can help identify needed community resources, resources for caregivers, healthy aging tips for seniors, and more.
Numerous Area Agency on Aging (AAA) sites serve individuals older than 60 years old in every county across Pennsylvania. AAAs can help you to locate resources and answer questions; they also provide services to meet the needs of older adults.
The Medical Assistance Transportation Program, also known as MATP, provides transportation to medical appointments for Medical Assistance recipients who do not have transportation available to them.
Residents of Pennsylvania can seek assistance and a range of services for themselves and their families from professionally-trained staff members at county assistance offices. You can also apply for and renew your benefits from the comfort of your home using COMPASS, the online resource for cash assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), help with child care, health care coverage, home heating assistance (LIHEAP), school meals, SelectPlan for Women, and long-term living services.
For participants who are dual eligible, the PA MEDI Medicare Counseling program is a free service that can provide information and answer questions about Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicaid, and Long-Term Care Insurance.
There are multiple Community Action Agencies throughout Pennsylvania that focus on needs specific to the area they serve. Services are provided to help individuals with low incomes to be self-sufficient.
The Department of Aging is responsible for oversight and implementation of the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) for individuals over the age of 60 and the Department of Human Services’ Adult Protective Services (APS) Division is responsible for oversight of adults 18-59 years old with a disability, who are the victim of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation. If you are a victim of abuse, neglect or exploitation, or know someone who is, you can report this to the APS/OAPS Hotline at 1-800-490-8505. You can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers can remain anonymous. For more information about resources and how to recognize abuse, view the 2021 APS Brochure.pdf (pa.gov).