Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529) The statewide toll-free SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (877-727-7529) - provides free legal advice, information and referrals by telephone for all Pennsylvania seniors 60 and over.
By: SeniorLAW Center (Philadelphia)
PA Health Law Project Toll-Free Helpline - Call: 1-800-274-3258 The PA Health Law Project provides free legal services and advocacy to Pennsylvanians having trouble accessing publicly funded health care coverage or services. For assistance, call the PHLP Helpline at 1-800-274-3258 or 1-866-236-6310 TTY or e-mail the PHLP at staff@phlp.org. Information from the PHLP is also available online at www.phlp.org.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Online Applications, Benefit Screening, Resources and Forms
Medical Assistance Financial Eligibility Application for Long-Term Care Supports and Services [PDF]
(Separate Website)
Application for a determination of financial eligibility for long term care facilities.
In order to receive payment toward the cost of nursing facility care, a person must be both medically in need of care provided by a nursing care facility and financially eligible for Medical Assistance and payment toward the cost of care. The local Area Agency for Aging (AAA), through its OPTIONS program, completes an assessment to determine if the individual needs nursing facility care or if less comprehensive care, such as that in a personal care home or other community care arrangement, would meet the individuals needs. If OPTIONS determines that the person is medically eligible for nursing facility care, the county assistance office will determine if the client is financially eligible for payment toward the cost of care using information provided on the PA 600-L form. The person who needs help to pay for nursing facility care, or someone acting on his behalf, may complete the form.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Nursing Home Compare
(Separate Website)
Online tool to provide detailed information about the past performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Nursing Home Checklist [PDF]
(Separate Website)
A checklist that helps you evaluate nursing homes.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Eldercare Locator
(Separate Website)
The Eldercare Locator connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.
By: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Benefits Check Up for Seniors (55+)
(Separate Website)
BenefitsCheckUp is a comprehensive online service to screen for federal, state and some local private and public benefits for older adults (ages 55 and over). BenefitsCheckUp also provides a detailed description of the programs, including the local addresses and phone numbers where to apply.
By: National Council on the Aging
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Personal Care Homes in Pennsylvania: A Guide for Advocates
(Separate Website)
Information on Personal Care Homes in Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Long Term Care Resources and Publications
(Separate Website)
Resources and publications for Long Term Care and Services.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Home and Community Based Services
(Separate Website)
Information on Home and Community Based Services that provide eligible individuals with disabilities or chronic health care needs with the care, supports, and services they need to remain at home and to age in place.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs: A Manual for Consumers and Advocates in Southwestern PA
(Separate Website)
This manual focuses on the Waiver programs currently available in Southwestern PA to adults with physical, sensory, and/or developmental disabilities; however, basic information about all the Waivers available in Southwestern PA is included.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
What are your Rights in the Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs Service Plan Development Process?
(Separate Website)
Fact sheet outlining your rights in the Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs Service Plan Development Process.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
HCBS (Home and Community Based Services) Waiver Appeal Factsheet
(Separate Website)
Information on what can you do if you don't agree with a decision made about your Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Program and/or services.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
How to Appeal Welfare Notices
(Separate Website)
Information for welfare recipients on how to appeal notices received from the Department of Public Welfare
By: Community Legal Services
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Compare Care - Nursing Home Brochure [PDF]
(Separate Website)
This brochure can show you how to find a nursing home that's right for you, while helping you compare the quality of nursing home care in your area. (4 pages)
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home [PDF]
(Separate Website)
Detailed booklet about how to choose a nursing home. (64 pages)
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Medicare Long-Term Care Planning tool
(Separate Website)
Online tool provided by Medicare.com to help you understand, (1) What long-term care services are available; (2) How much you can expect to pay for long-term care, and (3) What financing options are available to support your long-term care costs.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Nursing Home Resident Rights
(Separate Website)
Information about the rights of nursing home residents.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Alternatives to Nursing Home Care
(Separate Website)
Information about Medicare covered programs that are available for people who need nursing home care but would rather live in their own home.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Paying for Nursing Home Care
(Separate Website)
Information on paying for nursing home care, including when Medicare will pay some nursing home costs for Medicare beneficiaries who require skilled nursing or rehabilitation services.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care [PDF]
(Separate Website)
A brochure explaining Medicare covered skilled care, your rights and protections, and where you can get help with your questions. (51 pages) [Large
Print Edition (86 pages)]
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Long Term Care in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
This website provides quick access to information about the many long term living services and planning resources available for people over the age of sixty and adults with physical disabilities throughout Pennsylvania.
By: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
How To Select Long Term Care In Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
This guide provides an overview of the long-term care choices available to you in Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Pennsylvania Health Care Facilities Search
(Separate Website)
Search aid to help you locate health facilities in Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Health
Know Your Rights as a Nursing Home Resident
(Separate Website)
This booklet explains the rights all nursing home residents have under the law.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Know Your Rights as a Personal Care Home Resident
(Separate Website)
General information regarding the residents rights under personal care home licensure regulations.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
A Helping Hand - Personal Care Home Edition
(Separate Website)
A guide that helps new residents adjust to their personal care home.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
A Caregiver's Guide to Selecting an Adults Day Services Center
(Separate Website)
An 11-page guide to help persons in need of adult day services
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
HealthCare.gov
(Separate Website)
HealthCare.gov is a federal government Website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services providing information on health care options that are available.
By: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Pennsylvania Department of Aging Ombudsman Program - We Look Into Reported Concerns About Long-Term Care Services
(Separate Website)
Information on how the long-term care Ombudsman can assist consumers of long-term care, including nursing and personal care home residents.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Pennsylvania Family Caregiver Support Program
(Separate Website)
Describes the financial assistance and other benefits and services available through the Family Caregiver Support Program.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Consumer Guides to Nursing and Assisted Living Facilities
(Separate Website)
Consumer guides to nursing homes and assisted living.
By: American Health Care Association
Piecing Together Quality Long-Term Care: A Consumer's Guide to Choices and Advocacy
(Separate Website)
Almost all of us will need some assistance with the tasks of everyday life at some point in our lives. This type of assistance is referred to as "long-term services and supports" or "long-term care."
This guide is designed for individuals who currently receive or who may in the future receive long-term services and supports. The purpose of this is to inform you about your options for long-term services and supports and to empower you - through education - to effectively advocate on your own behalf.
By: National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Issues on Aging
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens [PDF]
(Separate Website)
The handbook provides valuable information on legal issues and questions that concern Pennsylvania's senior citizens and the persons and organizations that care for them. (PDF Format, 83 pages)
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill
(Separate Website)
The "Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill" is designed for both the seriously ill individual and those caring for someone who is seriously ill. The guide explains "Seven Key Steps" in a brief, clear way while offering additional tips and resources for readers looking for more detailed information and guidance.
By: American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging
Making Medical Decisions for Someone Else
(Separate Website)
This booklet describes in simple terms what it?s like to be a health care proxy, what to do while there?s still time to think about it, how to make the hard decisions, and where to get help.
By: American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging
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PALawHELP.org is provided as a public service by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation.
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