Help near you

Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs. If your income is limited, your state may pay your Medicare Part B premium — that is roughly $185 a month back in your Social Security check — and sometimes your deductibles and copays too.

Apply through Pennsylvania's COMPASS site (compass.state.pa.us) or your county assistance office. Qualifying also opens the door to Dual Eligible (D-SNP) Medicare plans.

Extra Help with prescription costs. A federal program that cuts what you pay for Part D drug coverage — premiums, deductible, and copays.

Apply free through Social Security at ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help, or call 1-800-772-1213.

PACE and PACENET. Pennsylvania's own prescription assistance for residents 65 and older, funded by the state lottery. It works alongside Medicare Part D.

1-800-225-7223, or pacecares.magellanhealth.com.

LIHEAP — help with heating bills. A grant toward winter heating costs that does not have to be paid back, plus crisis help if your heat is shut off or you are out of fuel.

Opens each fall through COMPASS or your county assistance office.

SNAP (food stamps). Many older adults qualify and never apply, often assuming the benefit would be a few dollars. Medical expenses can be deducted from income, which raises the benefit for a lot of seniors.

Apply through COMPASS, or get help applying from the county Area Agency on Aging.

Montgomery County Aging & Adult Services. The county office for meals, in-home support, caregiver help, and benefits counseling. A good first phone call if you are not sure what you need.

610-278-3601.

APPRISE — free Medicare counseling. Pennsylvania's free, unbiased Medicare counseling service, staffed by trained volunteers. They sell nothing.

1-800-783-7067. Yes, I am telling you about a free alternative to me. If they can answer your question, good.