Allentown Senior AdvisorWhat programs does the Pennsylvania Lottery fund for seniors?
Lottery proceeds fund PACE and PACENET prescription coverage, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, free and reduced-fare transit, Area Agencies on Aging, and in-home and community care services such as OPTIONS.
In 2024-25 the Lottery reported more than $128.7 million for PACE and PACENET, over $274 million to Area Agencies on Aging, more than $373.9 million for in-home, community and facility-based care services and more than $168.7 million for transit.
Who qualifies for PACE and PACENET prescription coverage?
Pennsylvanians 65 or older who have lived in the state at least 90 days qualify for PACE with prior-year income up to $14,500 single or $17,700 married, and for PACENET with income from $14,501 to $33,500 single or $17,701 to $41,500 married.
PACE and PACENET work alongside Medicare Part D and cut copays sharply. Call 1-800-225-7223 or apply through your Area Agency on Aging. Note that this PACE is unrelated to the PACE (LIFE) all-inclusive care program.
What is the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program?
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program pays up to $1,000 a year to Pennsylvanians 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older with household income of $48,110 or less, with supplemental rebates for some applicants.
Rebates for 2025 can be claimed until December 31, 2026. Renters in a personal care home generally cannot claim rent paid for care, so ask the Department of Revenue about the specific situation.
What is the OPTIONS program?
OPTIONS is the Department of Aging's in-home program for Pennsylvanians 60 or older with unmet needs that affect daily functioning, offering care management, personal care, home-delivered meals and adult day services; there is no income limit, but a sliding-scale co-payment applies.
Each county Area Agency on Aging runs OPTIONS and may keep a waiting list. It is often the first paid help a Lehigh Valley family gets, before Community HealthChoices or private home care.
How do Lehigh Valley seniors get shared rides and transit?
Pennsylvanians 65 and older ride fixed-route LANta buses free with a senior transit ID, and the Lottery-funded shared-ride program cuts the fare for door-to-door rides booked in advance in Lehigh and Northampton counties.
Carbon County residents have shared-ride service as well. Ask your Area Agency on Aging how to register; rides to medical appointments and adult day programs are the most common use.
At a glance
| Lottery programs do | Lottery programs do not | |
|---|---|---|
| Prescriptions | Cut Part D copays through PACE/PACENET | Replace Medicare Part D |
| Housing | Rebate property tax or rent up to $1,000 | Pay a personal care home bill |
| Care | Fund OPTIONS in-home help with a sliding fee | Guarantee services without a waiting list |
Sources include 55 Pa. Code Chapters 20, 2600 and 2800, Pennsylvania DHS, Department of Health and Department of Aging pages, CMS, VA and CareScout rate tables as cited above; see our editorial standards.
