Senior's Guide to Helpful Resources in Springfield Township

Compass

Compass is an online application for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human service programs such as:

• Medical Assistance
• Cash Assistance
• Home Energy Assistance (LiHeap)
• Home and Community based services

What's great about the Compass site is that if you have access to a computer you can login and check the status of all of your applications and eligiblity online without having to visit local offices in person and possibly wait a very lengthy time to speak with someone in person.

Helpline: 800-892-7462
Monday-Friday 8:30am to 4:45pm
compass.state.pa.us

Internet Access

Springfield Township Library on Paper Mill Road has computers with a high speed line for you to use.

Free Library of Springfield Township
1600 Paper Mill Road
Wyndmoor, PA 19038
215-836-5300
Hours: M-Th 9-9 • F 9-5 • Sa 10-5 • Su 1-4

Montgomery County Assistance Office

You can visit this office and meet with someone in person for help with filing applications. You must get there early and put your name and social security in at the front desk and sit and wait for your name to be called. Be prepared for long waits. But a case worker will meet with you and help you personally file applications specific to your needs such as:

• Cash Assistance
• Food Stamps
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHeap)

Norristown District
1931 New Hope Street
Norristown, PA 19401-3191
Toll Free: 877-398-5571
Info: 610-270-3500
LiHeap: 570-424-3517

Alternately, you can call the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare:
DPW Helpline: 800-692-7462
dpw.state.pa.us

LiHeap

LiHeap has a special hotline number: 866-674-6327. If it is determined you are eligible, LiHeap will provide a one-time payment of roughly $300 dollars. They will mail the check directly to your heat oil provider.

LiHeap Crisis Program

If you are down to 1/4 tank of oil and cannot afford more oil call this number 800-641-3940. They will provide another one time payment directly to your provider of up to $800 dollars.

Crisis Oil Line

610-272-1752

Food Stamps

Hotline number is: 800-692-7462

CAP (Consumer Assistance Program)

Low-income Rate Assistance

Pennsylvania's major gas and electric utilities are required to provide Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs), which generally provide a percentage of bill plan or a percentage of income payment plan, wherein low-income customers' utility payments are based upon their incomes and/or utility bills. Some programs include utility arrearage forgiveness; others provide flat rate discounts or bill credits. Under electric and gas restructuring legislation all electric and gas utilities are required to offer universal service programs, to include CAPs, and to continue pre-restructuring low-income programs.

What's good about the CAP Program is that you are guaranteed a flat rate on these services.

800-774-7040

Public Utility Commission

Will help if you have shut off notices only.

800-692-7380

Aqua Pennsylvania

877-987-2782

Surprisingly they DO NOT offer a Senior discount. Since the recent repiping of Springfield Township the monthly water bills have increased substantially and yet this organization refuses to offer a discount for Seniors. Call them to complain please! Or, email them at: custserv@aquaamerica.com

Helping Hand Foundation

A nonprofit who helps the poor elderly. It's a volunteer organization that relies solely on donations and volunteers.

P.O. Box 82
Abington, PA 19001
helpinghandfoundation.org
610-277-6363 x12

Citizens Energy

Citizens Energy Corporation exists to help make life's basic needs more accessible and affordable. Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program has delivered millions of gallons of discount home heating oil to poor and elderly households in cold weather states.

In partnership with Citgo, Citizens Energy works with thousands of oil heat dealers and local fuel assistance agencies in 17 states to provide home heating oil to those in need. This year the Oil Heat Program provided eligible families a one-time delivery of 100 gallons of home heating oil.

The way this works is that when they get your application they will make a determination on eligibility and send you a voucher to provide to your heat oil company.

877-JOE-4-OIL
citizensenergy.com

PACE and PACENET

PACE and PACENET are equal to or better than the prescription drug benefit that is offered through Medicare.

PACE and PACENET offer comprehensive prescription coverage to older Pennsylvanians and covers most prescription medications, including insulin, syringes and insulin needles.

These programs do not cover over-the-counter medicines, medical equipment or doctor, hospital, dental or vision services. There is no application fee to enroll in the program.

For information or assistance with the application process, call PACE/PACENET Cardholder Services toll free at 1-800-225-7223

PACE
4000 Crums Mill Road, Suite 301
Harrisburg, PA 17112
717-651-3600
Toll Free: 800-225-7223

Montgomery County Aging & Adult Services (MCAAS)

MCAAS serves as the designated agency within Montgomery County to develop and provide a comprehensive and coordinated system of services for older and disabled adults. As the area agency on aging, MCAAS serves over 40,000 older Montgomery County residents each year through a variety of services and programs which assist individuals and families in preventing premature institutionalization. It is also an integral part of the human service delivery system in Montgomery County to assist low-income adults, families and physically disabled adults, in achieving self-sufficiency and independence.

MCAAS provides in-home services, senior center services, comprehensive assessment, care management, information and referral, caregiver support programs, protective services, adult daily living centers, and other important services and programs to assist county residents as part of a comprehensive continuum of care.

Western Office
Human Services Center
Joanne Kline, Executive Director
1430 DeKalb Street
P.O. Box 311
Norristown, PA 19404-0311
610-278-3601
610-278-3769 (Fax)

Eastern Office
610-327-9203
jkline@montcopa.org

Adult & Aging Services

102 York Road, Suite 303
Willow Grove, PA 19090
215-784-5413
Hours: 8am-4pm
aging.state.pa.us
mcaas.montcopa.org

Visiting Nurse Association

Community Services

1109 DeKalb Street
Norristown, PA 19401
215-572-7880
vnacs.org

Personal Navigator Program

Visiting Nurse Association has a great program called Personal Navigator. Once you are assigned a personal navigator they will come and meet with you and provide personalized assistance to help you reach out and get the services you need to survive. They are very responsive.

800-591-8234

Pennsylvania Property Tax Rent Rebate Program

Chief Anita Bullock
717-787-8397
Toll Free: 888-222-9190
revenue.state.pa.us

To download the forms: Click here

NOTE: Your property taxes must be paid in full for you to be eligible for this rebate.

Property Tax Arrears

If your Springfield Township Property Taxes have fallen into arrears you must contact the following collection agency:

Montgomery County Tax Claim Bureau
c/o Xspand
P.O. Box 2288
Morristown, NJ 07962-2288

NOTE: Do not send them a check. It will be returned. You must send them a money order or a certified check ONLY. You must also include your PARCEL NUMBER.

You can pay online using a credit card or check at:

montcopa.org/taxclaim and choose "Pay Tax Bill"

You can also pay your taxes at a Montgomery TD Bank Branch. Call 888-343-2143 to find your closest location.

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania

625 Swede Street
Norristown, PA 19401
610-275-5400
877-429-5994

Intake hours: Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays 1:30pm to 4pm

You want to tell them that you need help with "ELDER LAW". They will help you do a Living Will and a Medical Power of Attorney. They will not do a general simple will nor will they do a general power of attorney. But if you need a Living Will and Medical Power of Attorney they will do these documents for you.

State Representative Lawrence Curry

115 West Avenue
Suite 211
Jenkintown, PA 19046
215-572-5210
M-F 9am-4:30pm
lcurry@pahouse.net

Senator Vincent Hughes

The Parkside Lofts
4950 Parkside Drive, Suite 300
Philadelphia, PA 19131
215-471-0490
hughes@pasenate.com