Union-Snyder Agency on Aging, Inc.

Serving older adults and their families with vision, dedication and concern.

Union-Snyder Agency on Aging, Inc. (USAA, Inc.)

Serving older adults and their families with vision, dedication and concern.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Advocacy, Information and Assistance for Seniors

We provide advocacy, information and assistance to older adults living in Union and Snyder counties. We help people access the services they need to remain at home or we assist them with nursing home or assisted living placement and related services.

Grandfather reading to children in a library.

 

 

The Lewisburg Senior Center is temporarily closed until further notice.

 

If you are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, you may have already heard from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) about an important change in the amount of SNAP benefits you will be getting as a result of recent federal action.

What is happening?

Since the pandemic started in 2020, households receiving SNAP benefits have been getting an additional payment in the second half of the month known as an Emergency Allotment. Right now, SNAP benefits are paid in two payments during the month: your regular SNAP benefit in the first half of the month and an extra payment in the second half of the month.

However, changes in federal law mean that states will no longer be able to issue these additional EA payments. The extra payment in the second half of the month will stop after February 2023. This means that starting March 1, 2023, you will only receive one regular SNAP payment, like you did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Another federal change affecting older Pennsylvanians is the 2023 cost of living adjustment for Social Security Income (SSI), which prompted an increase to SSI income. SNAP eligibility thresholds – also set at the federal level – did not rise proportionally. Because of this, approximately 249,000 households will see a decrease in their base SNAP benefits by an average of $40 per household, which will take effect in March when Emergency Allotments end. DHS anticipates that 5,000 to 20,000 households will be disenrolled from SNAP due to the SSI increase.

The Department of Aging and its aging network partners want to make sure that older adults who need food assistance know where to go for help.

  • Senior Community Centers provide nutritious lunchtime meals and socialization. Many also offer grab & go meals. You can find a senior center near you by visiting www.aging.pa.gov/SCC.
  • Area Agency on Aging (AAA): You can call your local AAA to connect with meal resources at the local level, including in-home meal delivery and other meal options. You can find your local Area Agency on Aging by visiting www.aging.pa.gov/AAA, or by calling the Department of Aging at 717-783-1550.
  • PACE Program: You can call the Department of Aging’s PACE program at 800-424-4356 to apply for the Senior Food Box program, which provides eligible seniors with nutritious, shelf-stable groceries each month. PACE operators will complete the application for you and send it directly to the Department of Agriculture. PACE can also help you connect with local food pantries and meal assistance.
  • PA LINK to Aging and Disability Resources: You can call the PA Link at 1-800-753-8827. A PA Link counselor in your region will talk with you one-on-one to help you connect with meal support, benefits programs and other help with activities of daily living.
  • Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program: Starting June 1 each year, this program provides eligible adults over age 60 with vouchers that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at more than 800 farm stands and more than 200 farmers’ markets in Pennsylvania. Vouchers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you when and how to get your vouchers.
  • Medicare Advantage Plans and Special Needs Plans: Some Plans offer grocery benefits, food boxes, and home-delivered meals as a plan bonus. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan or Special Needs Plan, you may want to inquire with your plan to see if they offer these added benefits.
  • 211: You can call 211 or visit www.211pa.org to connect with various local food resources, or to locate your local Area Agency on Aging.
  • Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: You can learn more about nutrition programs for older adults at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at www.agriculture.pa.gov/food.
  • Department of Human Services: You can learn more about the end of the SNAP Emergency Allotment and other resources available at www.dhs.pa.gov/SNAPCares.

Property Tax-Rent Rebate Appointments

Department Of Aging: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Now Underway,
Free Insurance Counseling Available Through PA MEDI

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Aging reminds Medicare beneficiaries that the annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31. During this time, beneficiaries who currently have a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different plan or to original Medicare. Changes to their enrollment will take effect on the first of the month following the month in which they enroll.

Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI), Pennsylvania’s Medicare counseling program, is available through local Area Agencies on Aging to help beneficiaries with Medicare questions. Older adults can receive unbiased, no-cost Medicare assistance from trained PA MEDI counselors who can walk them through their options to assist in making informed health insurance decisions that optimize their cost savings and access to health care and benefits.

Medicare Advantage is a Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to original Medicare for health and drug coverage. These “bundled” plans include Part A Hospital Insurance, Part B Medical Insurance, and usually Part D Drug Coverage.

“From year to year, Medicare Advantage plans can change their premiums, cost-sharing arrangements, and their selection of covered drugs and supplemental benefits, as well as provider networks and prior authorization requirements. Choosing the right Medicare Advantage Plan can be challenging. PA MEDI is here to help! We help you compare plans, look for cost savings, and even help you enroll in a plan that best fits your needs,” said Susan Neff, PA MEDI director. “PA MEDI counselors can also help determine if you may be eligible for any of Pennsylvania’s Medicare cost-savings programs like PACE, Extra Help, and the Medicare Savings Programs.”

PA MEDI counselors do not sell Medicare insurance products, nor do they endorse any insurance company, product, or agent. Counselors will not recommend policies, companies, or insurance agents but will provide free, confidential, and unbiased personalized assistance.

Older adults can contact the Union-Snyder Agency on Aging at 570-524-2100 or 570-374-5558 to schedule a personalized counseling session. For more information, call the toll-free PA MEDI Helpline at 1-800-783-7067 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To find a PA MEDI event or presentation, visit www.aging.pa.gov/aging-services/medicare-counseling.

 

 

Notice of Board Meetings

The Union-Snyder Agency on Aging, Inc. (USAA, Inc.) Board of Directors will meet on the below dates from 3:00-4:30pm. The public is welcome to join.

All meetings will be conducted via Zoom unless otherwise advertised.

  • April 19, 2023
  • June 21, 2023

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88311943523?pwd=dHFWSk5uSDFlU2ZyeVFOWmY3bU5tQT09

Meeting ID: 883 1194 3523

Passcode: 619982

Please contact us prior to the meeting if you wish to be placed on the agenda.

If you lost your Covid vaccination card, you can:

 

– Complete the Authorization for Release of Immunization Records here

– Or complete the form here and mail it