If you’re 60 or older in Pennsylvania and need help with everyday tasks, you don’t have to qualify for Medicaid to find support.
Pennsylvania’s OPTIONS program, also called Help at Home, helps older adults get the care they need while continuing to live in their own homes.
The program offers personal care, home-delivered meals, adult day services and other assistance. Best of all, there’s no income limit to apply, although some participants may have to pay part of the cost.
Here’s how OPTIONS works and how to get started.
What Does the OPTIONS Program Provide?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, OPTIONS offers four main types of services:
- Personal care: Help with bathing, dressing and other daily activities.
- In-home meals: Meals delivered to older adults who need nutritional assistance.
- Adult day services: Supervised daytime care and activities for older adults with functional impairments, including people with dementia, Parkinson’s disease or related conditions.
- Care management: A care manager who helps coordinate services and develop a plan based on your needs.
You don’t automatically receive all four services. Your local Area Agency on Aging will assess your situation and determine which types of assistance may be appropriate.
What Other Services May Be Available?
Depending on your local Area Agency on Aging and available resources, OPTIONS may also help with:
- Home modifications: Changes that make your home safer or easier to navigate.
- Home health services: Certain nursing or therapy services when they aren’t covered through another source.
- Household assistance: Help with housekeeping, shopping, laundry and other household tasks.
- Medical equipment: Supplies and assistive devices that support daily living.
- Emergency assistance: Essential supplies, meals or temporary shelter in urgent situations.
- Emergency response systems: Devices that allow you to request help during an emergency.
- Pest control: Assistance addressing certain pest problems.
- Specialized transportation: Non-emergency medical transportation when appropriate.
These additional services aren’t guaranteed in every county. Ask your local agency what’s currently available.
Who Qualifies for OPTIONS?
To qualify for Pennsylvania’s OPTIONS program, you must:
- Be 60 years old or older.
- Live in Pennsylvania.
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- Have unmet needs that affect your ability to manage everyday activities.
You don’t have to be completely unable to care for yourself.
The program is designed for older adults who have some physical or mental health limitations and need additional support to continue living at home.
Your local Area Agency on Aging will assess your needs to determine whether you qualify and what services may help.
Does OPTIONS Have an Income Limit?
No. OPTIONS does not have an income limit.
That means older adults at different income levels may qualify for assistance, including people whose incomes are too high for Medicaid.
However, some participants must contribute toward the cost of their services.
Pennsylvania uses a sliding-scale co-payment system based on income.
Under the state’s 2026 OPTIONS cost-sharing scale:
- At or below 133% of the federal poverty level: The co-payment rate is 0%.
- Above 133% of the federal poverty level: Participants may pay a percentage of their service costs, depending on their income.
Having a 0% co-payment doesn’t guarantee that every service you request will be available.
Your local agency can explain how the cost-sharing rules apply to your household and what you might be expected to pay.
How Do You Apply for OPTIONS?
You can start by contacting the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) that serves your county.
These agencies help older adults understand available programs, determine eligibility and arrange assessments.
Here’s what to do:
- Visit the Pennsylvania OPTIONS application information page.
- Use the state’s Area Agency on Aging directory to find the agency serving your county.
- Contact your local agency and ask about the OPTIONS program.
- Explain which daily activities you need help with.
- Ask how to schedule an assessment and whether services are currently available.
You can also use the contact options provided on the state’s OPTIONS page to ask where to begin.
If you’re helping an older parent or family member, you can contact the local agency to ask about the application process on their behalf.
Is There a Waiting List?
Service availability can depend on local funding and resources.
When you contact your Area Agency on Aging, ask whether there is a waiting period and how soon an assessment or services might be available.
Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that assistance will begin immediately.
Relief Recap
Pennsylvania’s OPTIONS program helps adults age 60 and older who need assistance with daily activities continue living at home.
Services may include personal care, home-delivered meals, adult day programs, care management and other support, including home modifications and medical equipment.
There’s no income limit to apply. Under Pennsylvania’s 2026 cost-sharing scale, participants with incomes at or below 133% of the federal poverty level have a 0% co-payment, while those with higher incomes may pay part of the cost.
If you or an older loved one needs help at home, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s OPTIONS page and contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
Even if you’re unsure whether you qualify, asking for an assessment can help you understand what support may be available.
