ALPHA – Alliance for Low-Income Personal Care Home Advancement

 

ALPHA emerged in 2016 as the 3rd strategic initative in response to a dramatic increase in long length of stay patients at WellSpan York Hospital. 40% of patients contributing to an increased number of avoidable days were patients that needed the care provided in a personal care home but lacked resources to support the cost. They were not safe to return home without supervision and care. Personal Care Homes (PCHs) in Pennsylvania have the option of caring for individuals determined eligible for the Supplemental Security Income Supplement payment, a combined State and Federal Supplement for extremely low-income Pennsylvanians.

 

The Landscape of in 2024 Low-Income PCHs As of December 2023, Pennsylvania has witnessed a significant decline in the number of PCHs accepting the
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Supplement. This SSI Supplement is a combination Federal and State Supplement. The PCHs that accept the SSI
Supplement have dropped from 894 in 2008 to 402 in February 2024 – a staggering 55% decrease. This decline is mirrored in the number of residents
receiving the SSI Supplement, falling from 8,776 in 2008 to 3,918 in February 2024. This decrease is not from a lack of need of the Supplement, but rather an inability
to find an SSI PCH bed that is available.