PHILADELPHIA, October 24, 2018 – Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) said today that the newly enacted Act 87 would expand the income limits for older Pennsylvanians who qualify for the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier (PACENET) program.

“This was a much-needed increase for the PACENET program,” Sabatina said. He noted, the modifications made under Act 87 marks the first expansion of income eligibility limits for PACENET in nearly 15 years. “The change will help many seniors in my district who were truly a few dollars away from eligibility.”

Under the Act, income limits for PACENET will increase from $23,500 to $27,500 for individuals and from $31,500 to $35,500 for married couples.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging estimates that an additional 14,500 individuals will be eligible for PACENET due to the income eligibility expansion.

Sabatina authored a companion piece of legislation in the Pennsylvania Senate (SB 581), calling for a similar expansion in the PACENET program, and supported Act 87 during its final passage.

“No senior should ever have to choose between putting food on the table or filling their next prescription” Sabatina explained. “By increasing the income limits, seniors on the edge of eligibility will now qualify for prescription drug assistance”.

PACENET and its companion program, PACE, are funded by the Pennsylvania State Lottery.

Additional information and applications for individuals age 65 and older who meet the program’s income requirements are available at Sen. Sabatina’s district offices. The offices are in Philadelphia at 8016 Bustleton Avenue and 12361 Academy Road.

The Bustleton Avenue office can be reached at (215) 695-1020. The office on Academy Road can be reached at (215) 281-2539.

 

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