PCA Helpline shares resources for older adults in Philadelphia
Each year, PCA connects more than 100,000 Philadelphians with the resources they need. PCA Helpline staff help older adults, caregivers and people living with disabilities benefit from many PCA programs by scheduling transportation services, taking reports of suspected elder abuse, making referrals for care management and home repairs, and administering crisis grants from the Emergency Fund for Older Philadelphians.
In addition, the PCA Helpline provides callers with information about resources that are available outside of PCA. Whether referring callers to resources through the City of Philadelphia, community to meet a caller’s needs, which can be anything from home-delivered meals, to legal services and/or financial benefits. When a Heat Health Emergency is declared for Philadelphia County, the PCA Helpline becomes the Heatline to counsel callers of all ages about precautions to take against the heat and detecting signs of heat stress.
The PCA Helpline can be reached at 215-765-9040. For general inquiries, call weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Confidential reports of suspected elder abuse can be made 24/7 to the PCA Helpline by pressing 1 when prompted.
Interpreter services are available for all callers. Individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf can reach the Helpline through its teletype (TTY) line at 215-765-9041. Information about a variety of resources, as well as a referral form for PCA services, is available at pcaCares.org.
Here are some of the most requested resources from the PCA Helpline that every older adult and caregiver should know.
Affordable Housing
- Project HOME has worked for over 30 years to end chronic homelessness and alleviate poverty in Philadelphia. – 1515 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19130 | 215-232-7272 | ProjectHOME.org
- Affordable Housing Centers of Pennsylvania is a HUD-approved non-profit agency that provides housing counseling and financial literacy education to low- and moderate-income Pennsylvanians. – 846 N. Broad St., 1st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19130 | 215-765-1221 | ahcopa.org
- NewCourtland provides a variety of housing options for older adults seeking to “age in place,” in their own homes and neighborhoods, for as long as possible. – 6970 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119 | 1-888-530-4913 | NewCourtland.org
- Federation Housing provides much-needed affordable housing communities and services that empower low-and moderate-income older adults to live independently with an enhanced quality of life. – 8900 Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19115 | 215-673-6446 | FederationHousing.org
Legal Services
- Community Legal Services provides free legal advice and representation to low-income residents of Philadelphia. – 1424 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 | 215-981-3700 | clsphila.org
- Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations is the City of Philadelphia’s official civil rights agency. – 601 Walnut St., Suite 300 South, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | 215-686-4670 | phila.gov/departments/philadelphia-commission-on-human-relations
- SeniorLAW Center provides legal services to older Pennsylvanians. – 1500 JFK Blvd., Suite 1501, Philadelphia, PA 19102 | 215-988-1244 | SeniorLawCenter.org
- Temple University – Elderly Law Project provides free general legal assistance and referral to adults 60 and older. – 1719 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19122 | 215-204-6887
Financial Benefits
- AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is a volunteer-based tax assistance and preparation program. – 1-888-227-7669 | email: taxaide@aarp.org | aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide
- Benefits Check Up is a free service sponsored by the National Council on Aging that connects older adults with programs to help them afford food, utilities, medicine and more. – 251 S. 18th St., Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22202 | 1-800-794-6559 | BenefitsCheckup.org
- Benefits Data Trust is a free program that helps low-income Philadelphians to enroll in critical benefits and services. – Center Square West, 1500 Market St., Suite 2800, Philadelphia, PA 19102 | 215-207-9100 | bdtrust.org/benephilly
- Philadelphia County Assistance Office offers assistance and other services to individuals and families in need. – 801 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-560-7226 | COMPASS HHS Home
- Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program provides property tax or rent rebate benefits to eligible Pennsylvanians, 65 and older, through the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. – Multiple Philadelphia locations | 1-888-222-9190 | revenue.pa.gov/PTRR
The PCA Helpline can be reached at 215-765-9040. For general inquiries, call weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Confidential reports of suspected elder abuse can be made 24/7 by calling the PCA Helpline and pressing “1.”
Interpreter services are available for all callers. Individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf can reach the Helpline through its teletype (TTY) line at 215-765-9041. Information about a variety of resources, as well as a referral form for PCA services, is available at pcaCares.org.
