Pennsylvania Benefits Portals for Seniors: COMPASS, myPATH, and More

Last updated: 7 April 2026

Bottom Line: Pennsylvania does not have one senior-only benefits portal. Most older adults should start with COMPASS for Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and long-term care; use myPATH for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program; and use Pennsylvania’s no-login application tracker when they only need a status check. If you need prescription help through PACE or PACENET, that is a separate Pennsylvania process.

Emergency help now

• If you may lose food, medicine, or heat right away, call the County Assistance Office or the Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930. In Philadelphia, call 1-215-560-7226.
• If you need home care, waiver services, or nursing-home Medicaid quickly, call the Pennsylvania Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227 or PA Link at 1-800-753-8827.
• If someone asks for your Social Security number, EBT card, or bank information by text, email, or phone, stop and report it to the DHS fraud tip line at 1-844-347-8477.

The official benefits portal seniors should use in this state

Start with the right Pennsylvania site first: for most state-run health and human-service benefits, seniors should use COMPASS. That is Pennsylvania’s official benefits management website for Medical Assistance, SNAP, LIHEAP, and long-term services and supports.

But Pennsylvania does not use one portal for everything. That is where many older adults lose time. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is handled through myPATH, not COMPASS. Prescription help through PACE and PACENET uses its own application path. For simple status checks on LIHEAP, Medicaid, SNAP, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Pennsylvania also has a separate Application Tracker that does not require a COMPASS login.

Pennsylvania’s system is local as well as statewide. The Department of Aging says the state is home to about 3.4 million older adults, and its aging network includes 52 Area Agencies on Aging serving all 67 counties. That matters because office hours, in-person help, and the best phone number can change by county, and Philadelphia uses a different customer service number from the rest of the state.

Need	Official Pennsylvania tool	Best note for seniors
Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, long-term care, Medicare premium help	COMPASS	Best main portal for Department of Human Services benefits.
Phone uploads, notices, quick case changes	myCOMPASS PA app	Useful if a senior can take pictures of proof on a phone.
Application status for LIHEAP, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF	trackmybenefits.pa.gov	No login needed, but the match must be exact.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program	myPATH	Not inside COMPASS. Online filing is fast and can be done without creating a profile.
Prescription help age 65 and older	PACE or PACENET application	Separate from COMPASS and myPATH.
Hands-on aging help, home care navigation, local services	PA Link and your Area Agency on Aging	Best when a portal is confusing or a senior needs a person to walk through options.

Quick facts

• Best immediate takeaway: use COMPASS for most Pennsylvania benefits, but use myPATH for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.
• Major rule: Pennsylvania does not have one all-in-one senior portal.
• Realistic obstacle: cases often stall because proof is missing, blurry, or tied to the wrong portal.
• Useful fact: the official DHS application tracker works without a COMPASS account.
• Best next step: gather ID, income, housing, insurance, and old case numbers before you start.

Who qualifies to use these portals

Any Pennsylvania resident can use these official systems, but the program rules are different for each benefit. Seniors, spouses, caregivers, and adult children helping a parent can all use the right portal, as long as they have the needed information and the senior’s permission.

• Older adults age 65 and older: often use COMPASS for Medical Assistance, Medicare premium help through Healthy Horizons pathways, SNAP, and long-term care.
• Low-income homeowners and renters: use Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate page and myPATH for the annual rebate claim.
• Seniors age 65 and older with high drug costs: may use PACE or PACENET.
• Households where everyone is age 60 or older or has a disability and nobody has earnings from work: may qualify for the Simple SNAP application for older adults and people with disabilities.
• Caregivers and adult children: can help online, but should keep copies of usernames, confirmation numbers, and uploaded proof.

What programs a senior can apply for through the portal

Through COMPASS, a Pennsylvania senior can commonly apply for:

• Medical Assistance (Medicaid): including older people and people with disabilities, plus some Medicare cost-help pathways described on the older adult Medicaid page.
• SNAP: including the senior-friendly path described on the SNAP for Older Adults page.
• LIHEAP: when the season is open. As of 7 April 2026, the 2025-26 LIHEAP season is scheduled to close on 10 April 2026.
• Long-term care and home- and community-based services: including nursing-facility coverage and waiver-related financial applications through Pennsylvania’s long-term care pathway.
• Cash Assistance or State Blind Pension: less common for retirees, but still part of Pennsylvania’s benefits application system.

What is not in COMPASS: Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and PACE/PACENET prescription help use separate Pennsylvania systems.

Best official Pennsylvania portals and help paths

COMPASS for Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, and long-term care

• What it is: Pennsylvania’s main online benefits portal for Department of Human Services programs.
• Who can get it or use it: Pennsylvania residents, including seniors, spouses, and authorized helpers.
• How it helps: You can apply, renew, view case details, report changes, get notices, and upload proof from a linked My COMPASS account.
• How to apply or use it: Start at COMPASS or on the state’s Apply for Benefits page.
• What to gather or know first: dates of birth, Social Security numbers, income, housing costs, Medicare and insurance cards, and resource information such as bank accounts if you are applying for older-adult Medicaid.

myCOMPASS PA for phone-based uploads and quick case management

• What it is: Pennsylvania’s official mobile app for people who have applied for or receive state benefits.
• Who can get it or use it: seniors or caregivers who can manage a smartphone better than a full website.
• How it helps: The myCOMPASS PA page says the app lets you review benefits, check application status, upload documents, and report changes directly from your phone.
• How to apply or use it: Download it from the official Apple App Store or Google Play links on Pennsylvania’s COMPASS page, then sign in with a My COMPASS account.
• What to gather or know first: good lighting, a steady hand, and clear pictures of each page you need to send.

trackmybenefits.pa.gov for no-login status checks

• What it is: Pennsylvania’s separate status tool for LIHEAP, Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF applications.
• Who can get it or use it: seniors who filed an application but cannot get into COMPASS or do not want to create an account.
• How it helps: The official tracker page says you can see application status, the next appointment, and possible missing documents.
• How to apply or use it: Enter the head of household’s first name, last name, and date of birth, plus the last four digits of the Social Security number or the COMPASS application number, and one more detail such as county, phone, email, or ZIP code.
• What to gather or know first: the match must be exact or the tracker will show nothing.

myPATH for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

• What it is: the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s online filing system for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.
• Who can get it or use it: adults age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older who meet the state’s rules on the official rebate page.
• How it helps: Pennsylvania says online filing through myPATH is the fastest option. For 2025 rebates filed in 2026, the standard rebate runs from $380 to $1,000, and some homeowners can qualify for higher supplemental rebates. Homeowners in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Scranton are part of those supplemental rules.
• How to apply or use it: File through myPATH, track progress through Where’s My Rebate?, and call 1-888-222-9190 if you need Revenue help.
• What to gather or know first: proof of age, proof of income, tax bills or a rent certificate, and your school district code. Pennsylvania’s PTRR page also notes that one-half of Social Security income can be excluded when figuring rebate income.

PACE and PACENET for prescription help

• What it is: Pennsylvania’s prescription assistance programs for older adults.
• Who can get it or use it: Pennsylvania residents age 65 and older who have lived in the state at least 90 days and meet the income rules on the PACE/PACENET application page.
• How it helps: PACE and PACENET work with Medicare Part D, retiree coverage, employer coverage, Medicare Advantage plans, and Veterans’ Benefits to lower out-of-pocket drug costs.
• How to apply or use it: Apply online, by phone at 1-800-225-7223, or with a paper form through the official PACE page.
• What to gather or know first: previous calendar year gross income, insurance information, and a reminder that you cannot be enrolled in the Department of Human Services’ Medicaid prescription benefit.

PA Link, Area Agencies on Aging, and the Independent Enrollment Broker when online is not enough

• What it is: Pennsylvania’s main human-help path for seniors who are stuck, confused, or need local service planning.
• Who can get it or use it: older adults, caregivers, and adults with disabilities anywhere in Pennsylvania.
• How it helps: PA Link helps connect people to services and can help with funding eligibility steps. The Area Agencies on Aging are the local front door for aging services. The Independent Enrollment Broker helps people seeking home- and community-based services or other long-term services and supports.
• How to apply or use it: Call PA Link at 1-800-753-8827. For long-term services, call the Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227.
• What to gather or know first: county of residence, current medical coverage, and a short list of what help the senior needs at home or in a facility.

What documents to scan or upload before starting

Do this before you open the application: older adults lose the most time when they start first and look for proof later. Gather the documents first, then sit down and apply.

• For COMPASS benefits: ID, Social Security numbers, birth dates, income proof, housing and utility costs, insurance cards, and bank or resource records if you are applying for older-adult Medicaid.
• For Medicaid on Medicare: Medicare card, Medicare premium information, and any supplemental insurance information.
• For long-term care: recent medical coverage information, financial records, and contact information for a hospital, rehab, nursing facility, or caregiver if involved.
• For Property Tax/Rent Rebate: proof of age, proof of income, receipted property tax bills or a rent certificate, and possibly first-time proof of disability if you are not applying based on age.
• For PACE/PACENET: previous-year gross income and prescription coverage details.

How to create a My COMPASS account step by step

1. Go to COMPASS and choose the sign-in or registration option.
2. Select Create an Account or Register. Pennsylvania’s COMPASS quick reference guide says you can also create an account while applying or renewing.
3. Enter the head of household’s name, date of birth, and other requested personal information.
4. Create a username, password, and security questions. Write them down right away.
5. If you already get benefits or already applied, link the account to the case using your county/case record number and your Social Security number or Medicaid ID, or use your e-Form number and password from a recent application.
6. Choose whether to enroll in online notices. If you do, Pennsylvania says to watch for a confirmation email from donotreply@pa.gov and check spam if it does not show up.
7. Log in and confirm that your case, application, and notices are visible before you log out.

Practical tip: if a caregiver is helping, keep the username, password, security answers, case number, and email used for notices in one paper folder. Many seniors lose access simply because those details are scattered.

How to apply or use the portal without wasting time

• Pick the correct Pennsylvania system first: COMPASS for DHS benefits, myPATH for Property Tax/Rent Rebate, and PACE/PACENET for prescription help.
• Use a current browser: Pennsylvania’s COMPASS compatibility page says COMPASS works best with current browsers and JavaScript turned on.
• Apply and e-sign if you can: Pennsylvania’s COMPASS guide says e-signing avoids the extra step of printing or mailing a signature page.
• Save every confirmation number: for COMPASS, save the e-Form number and password; for myPATH, save the email confirmation and code.
• Upload proof the same day if possible: do not assume the caseworker can verify everything automatically.
• Use the right status tool: do not wait weeks if you can see the problem sooner through My COMPASS, the no-login tracker, or Where’s My Rebate.
• Call early if something breaks: waiting until the last day usually makes a bad online problem worse.

How seniors can upload proof documents

• During a new COMPASS application: after you submit, use the confirmation page’s Attach a File option if it appears.
• For a submitted application: in My COMPASS, open the Submitted application and use Attach or Upload Documents, as shown in Pennsylvania’s official guide.
• For an ongoing case: use the Report Changes area or the Upload Document button inside My COMPASS or the myCOMPASS PA app.
• For myPATH and Property Tax/Rent Rebate: if Revenue asks for more information, follow the notice instructions and use myPATH to respond more quickly when online response is offered.
• Make every upload readable: get all four corners, use bright light, and avoid fingers covering the page.
• Send the exact document asked for: if the notice asks for a rent certificate, a bank statement or lease alone may not solve the issue.
• Keep copies: save screenshots, confirmation pages, and the date you uploaded each item.

How to renew benefits online

• Log in to My COMPASS: choose Renew Your Benefits from the homepage or dashboard.
• Use the prefilled renewal carefully: Pennsylvania’s COMPASS guide says renewals often pull in information already on file. Read every page and update what changed.
• Be ready for identity questions: some renewals ask identity-verification questions tied to credit-report history.
• Upload proof if requested: after renewal, click View Required Items and send documents right away.
• Know one major limit: Pennsylvania’s COMPASS guide says LIHEAP cannot be renewed through COMPASS. It is a seasonal application. You apply again when the season opens.
• Know one major senior exception: the state’s Semi-Annual Reporting page says many SNAP households where everyone is age 60 or older or has a disability, with no earned income and shared meals, do not have to complete SAR.

How to check application status

• For COMPASS applications with an account: open My Applications, then Submitted, then View Status.
• For COMPASS applications without a login: use the e-Form number and password from your confirmation page or use trackmybenefits.pa.gov for LIHEAP, Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF.
• For the no-login tracker: the state says most applications are reviewed and decided within 30 days after they are assigned to a caseworker, but older-adult Medicaid and long-term care cases can still take longer if assessments or extra proof are needed.
• For Property Tax/Rent Rebate: use Where’s My Rebate? or call 1-888-728-2937.
• For a filed myPATH rebate copy: the Department of Revenue’s Find a Submission guidance says you can view a submission from the myPATH homepage if you have the email address and six-character confirmation code.

What to do if a senior forgets login information

• For COMPASS: go back to the sign-in page and use the account-recovery links there. If that fails, call the COMPASS Helpline at 1-800-692-7462.
• If the senior applied but never linked the case: use the saved e-Form number and password from the confirmation page to finish, check status, or create a linked account.
• If the case is urgent and login recovery is taking too long: stop fighting the portal and call the County Assistance Office or the customer service center.
• For myPATH and Property Tax/Rent Rebate: many older adults do not need a login at all because the rebate can be filed and tracked without a myPATH profile. If you do need support, call 1-717-425-2495.
• Prevent this next time: keep a paper card with the portal name, username, reset email, and case number in a safe place.

How to avoid fake websites and scams

• Use official Pennsylvania addresses only: look for pa.gov, pennsylvania.gov, compass.dhs.pa.gov, trackmybenefits.pa.gov, or mypath.pa.gov.
• Do not trust search ads just because they appear first: type the official site yourself or use a bookmark.
• DHS says it will never ask for personal information in an unsolicited email, text, or phone call: see the official DHS scam warning.
• DHS may send informational texts or calls from 1-833-648-1964: but the state says those messages will not ask for specific personal information or link you to unofficial sites.
• Revenue says it will never ask for your bank account information over the phone for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. That warning appears on the official rebate page.
• Report suspicious DHS benefit messages: call 1-844-347-8477. You can also report public-assistance fraud to the Office of State Inspector General at 1-800-932-0582.
• If a website asks for payment to file a benefits application: stop. These Pennsylvania applications are handled through official state systems, not fee-based private sites.

When seniors should apply online vs by phone vs in person

Situation	Best method	Use this Pennsylvania contact
Comfortable online and have documents ready	Online	COMPASS or myPATH
Need health coverage or long-term care help and want a live person	Phone	1-866-550-4355 for health coverage and long-term care applications
Need home- and community-based services or waiver help	Phone first	1-877-550-4227 for the Independent Enrollment Broker
Need the Property Tax/Rent Rebate but do not use computers	In person or by mail	Department of Revenue help options and 1-888-222-9190
Portal keeps crashing, times out, or will not verify identity	Stop online and call	County Assistance Office or 1-877-395-8930; Philadelphia 1-215-560-7226
Need language help, low vision help, or paper forms	Phone or in person	DHS, Revenue, PA Link, or your local Area Agency on Aging

Common portal problems older adults face

• Wrong portal: the senior tries to file a property-tax rebate in COMPASS or tries to manage Medicaid in myPATH.
• Exact-match failures: the tracker will not show results if the name, date of birth, or other confirming details do not exactly match DHS records.
• Unreadable uploads: dark photos, cut-off pages, or missing signatures can trigger more proof requests.
• Timeouts and blank screens: older browsers, disabled JavaScript, and slow internet can break COMPASS.
• Online notices confusion: some notices still come by regular mail even when online notices are turned on.
• Long-term care confusion: a financial application is only part of the process; Pennsylvania may also require an assessment and follow-up through the Independent Enrollment Broker.

Where to get help using the portal

• COMPASS Helpline: 1-800-692-7462, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., according to Pennsylvania’s COMPASS contact page.
• Health coverage and long-term care applications by phone: 1-866-550-4355.
• Case-specific customer service: 1-877-395-8930 statewide, or 1-215-560-7226 in Philadelphia.
• County Assistance Office finder: use the official CAO directory. Office hours vary by county and some counties have more than one office.
• PA Link: 1-800-753-8827 for aging and disability resource help.
• Property Tax/Rent Rebate help: 1-888-222-9190 and the state’s PTRR help page.
• myPATH support: 1-717-425-2495.

Printable checklist before a senior starts an online application

• ☐ I know which Pennsylvania portal I actually need.
• ☐ I have the senior’s full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
• ☐ I have photo ID and Medicare or insurance cards.
• ☐ I have income proof for every source.
• ☐ I have rent, mortgage, property-tax, and utility records.
• ☐ If this is older-adult Medicaid, I have bank balances and other resource records.
• ☐ If this is Property Tax/Rent Rebate, I have proof of age, proof of income, and tax bills or rent certificate.
• ☐ I have a working email address and phone number I can actually access.
• ☐ I have a pen and paper ready for the username, password, case number, e-Form number, or confirmation code.
• ☐ I know who will call if the site fails: County Assistance Office, PA Link, or Revenue.

Reality checks before you click submit

• Portal use does not erase paperwork problems: online filing is faster, but it does not stop proof requests, missing signatures, or identity checks.

• Long-term care cases often move slower than basic SNAP cases: they can involve financial review, medical need review, and follow-up calls.

• Exact dates matter: the Property Tax/Rent Rebate due on 30 June 2026 is for 2025 taxes or rent paid, not 2026 housing costs.

• Older adults should not wait for the last day: if you hit a login or upload problem late, you may need to switch to phone, mail, or in-person help.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using COMPASS when you really need myPATH.
• Starting an application without first gathering proof.
• Failing to e-sign and then forgetting the mailed signature step.
• Ignoring a request for more information because the portal says “submitted.”
• Assuming online notices replace every mailed notice.
• Trusting a third-party benefits website instead of an official Pennsylvania page.
• Forgetting to save the e-Form number or myPATH confirmation code.
• Waiting too long to call when the status tracker shows no match or missing proof.

Best options by need

• I need health coverage and food help: start with COMPASS.
• I only want to see whether my LIHEAP, Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF application is moving: use trackmybenefits.pa.gov.
• I need to send proof from a phone: use the myCOMPASS PA app.
• I need the Pennsylvania property-tax or rent rebate: use myPATH.
• I need help paying for prescriptions at age 65 or older: apply for PACE or PACENET.
• I need home care, waiver help, or nursing-home coverage: use Pennsylvania’s long-term care application path and call the Independent Enrollment Broker.
• I need a real person because online is too hard: call PA Link or your local Area Agency on Aging.

Best local office to call if the online system fails

If this happens	Best office or number	Why this is the right next step
COMPASS login will not work	1-800-692-7462	That is the official COMPASS helpline.
You need case-specific help or a status check outside Philadelphia	1-877-395-8930 or your County Assistance Office	Best for real case questions, local office records, and change reporting.
You live in Philadelphia	1-215-560-7226	Philadelphia uses its own customer service center number.
You are applying for Medicaid, health coverage, or long-term care by phone	1-866-550-4355	Pennsylvania accepts those applications by phone.
You need home- and community-based services or waiver enrollment	1-877-550-4227	The Independent Enrollment Broker handles that path.
myPATH or Property Tax/Rent Rebate problem	1-888-222-9190 or 1-717-425-2495	Revenue and myPATH support can answer rebate filing or portal questions.

What to do if denied, delayed, or blocked

• Read the notice first: many Pennsylvania cases are delayed because the agency needs proof, not because the senior is truly denied.
• Use the exact notice language when you call: say “I received a request for information” or “I received a denial notice dated [date]. What exactly is missing?”
• For COMPASS cases: call your County Assistance Office or 1-877-395-8930. In Philadelphia, call 1-215-560-7226.
• For long-term care cases: call the Independent Enrollment Broker. If the person is already in Community HealthChoices, use the CHC help contacts shown by the state.
• For Property Tax/Rent Rebate: answer Revenue notices quickly, and if you need help, call 1-888-222-9190.
• If you disagree with a DHS decision: follow the hearing instructions on the notice and review Pennsylvania’s official hearings and appeals page. The state says decisions are typically issued within 90 days for most issues and within 60 days for SNAP, though exceptions can happen.
• If a senior has no safe way to manage the online process: switch to phone or in-person help the same day. Do not keep retrying a broken portal for a week.

Plan B and backup options

• Apply by phone: use 1-866-550-4355 for health coverage and long-term care applications.
• Apply in person: go to the local County Assistance Office.
• Apply by mail: Pennsylvania still offers paper DHS applications and paper Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms.
• Use aging-network help: PA Link and the Area Agency on Aging can help seniors who cannot finish the process alone.
• For rebate filings: Pennsylvania says in-person support is available at hundreds of locations, and seniors should call ahead before visiting.

Local Pennsylvania resources

• County Assistance Offices: use the official CAO finder for addresses, phone numbers, and office hours.
• Area Agencies on Aging: the AAA directory is the best local entry point for aging services.
• PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources: call 1-800-753-8827 or use PA Link.
• Property Tax/Rent Rebate in-person support: use the state’s Find help near me tools and call ahead.
• Independent Enrollment Broker: call 1-877-550-4227. TTY users can call 1-877-824-9346.
• Adult Protective Services: if a senior is being abused, neglected, or financially exploited, call 1-800-490-8505.

Support for different Pennsylvania seniors

Seniors with disabilities

Pennsylvania’s older adult Medicaid rules, Community HealthChoices, long-term care services path, and PA Link are all important. If the online system is hard to use, call PA Link or the Independent Enrollment Broker instead of trying to do everything alone.

Veteran seniors

The PACE/PACENET page says Pennsylvania’s prescription programs work with Veterans’ Benefits. That means veteran seniors should not assume they are shut out. Ask how PACE or PACENET fits with current VA or retiree drug coverage before deciding it is not worth applying.

Immigrant and refugee seniors

Pennsylvania offers paper DHS applications in multiple languages, and the Department of Revenue says non-English-speaking taxpayers can get help through an interpretation service on most Revenue phone lines. If a senior has lawful-presence documents and is applying for Medicaid, keep those records ready before starting. For added help, Pennsylvania also maintains a Refugees in PA resource area.

Rural seniors with limited internet access

Rural Pennsylvanians should lean hard on phone and local-office options. The Area Agency on Aging network, PA Link, and County Assistance Offices are especially important when broadband is weak or a senior uses only a basic phone.

Frequently asked questions

Does Pennsylvania have one benefits portal just for seniors?

No. That is the biggest point to understand. Pennsylvania uses COMPASS for most Department of Human Services benefits, myPATH for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, trackmybenefits.pa.gov for no-login status checks on certain applications, and a separate PACE/PACENET application path for prescription help. If an article only says “use COMPASS,” it is incomplete for Pennsylvania seniors.

Can I use COMPASS for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program?

No. The rebate program is handled by the Department of Revenue, not through COMPASS. Seniors should use myPATH or the state’s official Property Tax/Rent Rebate filing page. For 2025 rebates filed in 2026, the official state deadline is 30 June 2026.

Can I check my Pennsylvania benefits application without logging in?

Yes, for certain programs. Pennsylvania’s Application Tracker lets you check LIHEAP, Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF without a COMPASS login. You will need the head of household’s name and date of birth, plus the last four digits of the Social Security number or the COMPASS application number, and one more matching detail such as county or ZIP code.

Can I renew LIHEAP online through COMPASS?

No. Pennsylvania’s COMPASS guide says LIHEAP cannot be renewed through COMPASS. LIHEAP is a seasonal application. As of 7 April 2026, the 2025-26 LIHEAP application period is set to close on 10 April 2026, so seniors who still need help should act quickly.

What if my parent forgot the My COMPASS username or password?

First, try the recovery links on the COMPASS sign-in screen. If that does not work, use the saved e-Form number and password from the application confirmation page if you still have it. If the case is urgent or the senior does not use email well, call the COMPASS Helpline at 1-800-692-7462 or the County Assistance Office.

I live in Philadelphia. Do I use different numbers?

Yes, for some benefits help. Philadelphia residents usually use the customer service number 1-215-560-7226 instead of the statewide 1-877-395-8930. The Philadelphia County Assistance Office system also has multiple district offices listed on the official office directory. But statewide portals like COMPASS, the tracker, and myPATH are still the correct online tools.

How do I apply for in-home care or nursing-home coverage in Pennsylvania?

Start with Pennsylvania’s long-term care application path, COMPASS, or the phone application line at 1-866-550-4355. If you need home- and community-based services, the state’s Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227 is a major part of the process because Pennsylvania also requires a needs assessment.

How do I know whether a text or call about benefits is real?

Pennsylvania says DHS may send informational texts or calls from 1-833-648-1964, but those contacts should not ask for specific personal information or send you to unofficial websites. The DHS scam warning says to report suspicious messages to 1-844-347-8477. For the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, the Department of Revenue warns that it will never ask for bank account information over the phone.

Resumen en español

Pensilvania no usa un solo portal para todos los beneficios de las personas mayores. Para Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP y servicios de cuidado a largo plazo, la mayoría de los adultos mayores deben empezar con COMPASS. Para revisar el estado de una solicitud de LIHEAP, Medicaid, SNAP o TANF sin iniciar sesión, el estado ofrece trackmybenefits.pa.gov. Para el programa estatal de reembolso de impuesto sobre la propiedad o alquiler, la herramienta correcta es myPATH, no COMPASS.

Si una persona mayor necesita ayuda humana, debe llamar a su County Assistance Office, a PA Link al 1-800-753-8827, o a su Area Agency on Aging. Para medicamentos recetados, PACE y PACENET tienen su propia solicitud. Si el sitio web falla, si la persona no puede recuperar su cuenta, o si falta comida, calefacción o cuidado médico, no espere: cambie a la opción por teléfono o en persona. Siempre use sitios oficiales que terminen en pa.gov o pennsylvania.gov.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.

Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified April 7, 2026, next review August 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we respond within 72 hours.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, deadlines, and availability can change. Always confirm current details directly with the official Pennsylvania program or office before you apply, upload documents, appeal, or make financial decisions.