Philadelphia isn’t only the city of Brotherly Love, it’s also a great city for senior citizen love. Here’s a list of some of the best senior-friendly perks and discounts in Philly (always best to check and make sure they’re still in place or that age requirements or percent discounts haven’t changed recently).
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University has senior discounts for those 65+
Independence Hall has senior discounts available for those 62+
Independence Seaport Museum has senior discounts for those 65+
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts has senior discounts for those 60+
Penn Museum has senior discounts for those 65+
Philadelphia Museum of Art has discounts available for senior 65+
Mutter Museum has senior discounts for those 65+ and tickets cost about $16 for seniors (please contact them directly to verify this senior discount)
National Museum of American Jewish History has senior discounts for those 65+
National Constitution Center has senior discounts for those 65+
Rodin Museum has senior discounts for those 65+
The Barnes Foundation has senior discounts for those 65+
Woodmere Art Museum has senior discounts for those 55+
AMC Theaters – Movie ticket discount on Tuesdays for ages 60+
Regal – AARP soft drink and popcorn plus: $9.50 for Regal ePremiere Tickets purchased online (conditions apply). Tickets are valid at all Regal Entertainment Group locations nationwide for all movies and showtimes.
Phillies Tickets: Senior citizens 55+ can receive an $8 discount off tickets in locations regularly priced $41/$47/$53 and less at Citizens Bank Park on specific days.
The U.S. National Park Service offers an America the Beautiful -- National Park and Federal Recreational Lands Pass -- Senior Pass, which gives seniors 62 years and older lifetime entrance to all properties administered by the National Park Service for a one-time processing fee of $10. The pass must be purchased in person at any NPS facility that charges an entrance fee.
Besides free entry, the America the Beautiful Senior Pass also offers a 50% discount on some federal-use fees charged for such facilities as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and tours.
For more information, call the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which issues the passes, at 888/275-8747.
If you are an older adult, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides mandated auto insurance discounts for you. You must be 55 years of age or older and complete an approved mature driver improvement course. The three approved provider courses are conducted by the AARP, the American Automobile Association (AAA), and the National Safety Council.
AARP Discount
Visit the AARP Driver Safety website
717-238-2277 or 1-888-227-7669 (Toll-free)
American Automobile Association (AAA)
1-800-350-7025
The National Safety Council (NSC)
1-800-621-7619 (Toll-free)
Pennsylvania State University’s Go-60 program offers tuition free enrollment at several campuses including Abington, PA to Pennsylvania residents ages 60 and older who meet specific criteria. Other costs may apply, such as textbooks or other course materials.
Temple University offers a Lifelong Learning program for adults ages 50 and older. A minimal semester fee of $105 gives access for all courses and lectures offered by the Lifelong Leaning Society during a semester. Programs are held in Fort Washington.
Meals on Wheels for Senior Citizens. Coordinated through the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA), this agency and other organizations can deliver meals to your home.
Reach out to these agencies to see if you qualify.
PCA
If you are eligible for other PCA services, you may qualify for home delivered meals. The assessment worker who conducts your care assessment will determine if you are eligible.
Phone: 215-765-9040
Service areas: City-wide
Cost: Free
MANNA
MANNA serves all ages and provides a frozen meal service for people with serious medical conditions with nutritional concerns.
Phone: 1-866-626-6209
Service areas: City-wide & surrounding counties
Cost: Free
Aid for Friends
Clients must be home-bound and isolated to be eligible for Aid for Friends.
Phone: 215-464-2224
Service areas: City-wide
Cost: Free
Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels
Some financial assistance available.
Phone: 215-233-5555
Service areas: Germantown, Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill, parts of Springfield Township
Cost: $7/day, $35/week
Klein-JCC’s Home-Delivered Meals
Delivers Monday-Friday. Clients may receive meals on any number of weekdays. Some financial assistance available. Accepts SNAP.
Phone: 215-698-7300 x197
Service areas: Northeast Philadelphia, Eastern Montgomery County, Lower Bucks County, Center City, South Philadelphia
Cost: Cook for a friend: $2 per meal contribution; Catered: $5 per meal
HomeLink's Meals on Wheels North and Northeast
Delivers kosher meals to people who are homebound.
Phone: 267-682-1026
Service areas: Specific zip codes in Northwest, South, West, and North Philadelphia
Cost: $5 per meal
Northeast Meals on Wheels
Phone: 215-745-9066
Service areas: Lower Northeast Philadelphia
Cost: $40 per week
21st Ward Meals on Wheels
Phone: 215-482-0249
Service areas: Roxborough, Manyunk, Wissahickon
Cost: $25 per week
Free boxes of food may be available through these agencies.
Philly Food Bucks
Over 25 farmers’ markets in Philadelphia accept SNAP (Food Stamps) and offer Philly Food Bucks. For every $5 in SNAP spent at these markets, customers receive a $2 Philly Food Bucks coupon to spend on more fresh fruits and vegetables. Use the Food Finder map to find farmers’ markets and look for ‘Accepts Philly Food Bucks’ on each green pin.
Senior Farmers' Market Coupons (SFMNP)
The Senior’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program offers $20 vouchers every summer for low-income Philadelphians 60 and older. The vouchers may be picked up at senior centers and the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. Vouchers may be used from June to November 30th and can be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables. For more information, call the PCA Help line at 215-765-9040 or check out their website.
Share Food Program Discounted Groceries
This nonprofit organization distributes discounted groceries to Philadelphians who show proof of community service. The program offers packages of discounted produce, meats, and other foods. You can order menu items and pick up your package monthly at a host site, which includes some senior centers. To find a host site, visit the Share Food Host locator or explore the Philly Food Finder map and select ‘Share Host Sites’.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, helps people pay for groceries. People enrolled in SNAP receive a card that works like a debit card. Eligibility depends on income, expenses, assets, and household size.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services is now offering an Elderly Simplified Application Process. Households who meet income guidelines, and whose members are all seniors (age 60+) or SSI/SSD recipients, and who have no earned income (besides Social Security), can now use a two-page SNAP application, and are required to renew just once every three years. Call 215-430-0556 for more information.
BenePhilly (1-800-236-2194) is a phone-based enrollment center than can help you apply for multiple public benefits, including SNAP.
You can also apply for SNAP in person at your County Assistance Office, or online by visiting compass.state.pa. To find your local office, call the SNAP Hotline: 215-430-0556.
Community Gardens
Community gardens throughout Philly are set up so you can grow, purchase, or share food with your neighbors. Learn more about Neighborhood Gardens Trust at GroundedInPhilly.org.
Philly SPLASH Downtown Bus gives free rides to senior citizens
SEPTA, which serves Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties offers Seniors, age 65 years or older, free rides on bus, trackless trolley, subway, and trolley service. Regional Rail fares vary depending on destination and are discounted for destinations both within and outside Pennsylvania. SEPTA also offers a shared ride program to Seniors through their Customized Community Transportation (CCT) service.
Amtrak Passenger Discounts – travelers ages 62 and older are eligible for a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains. On cross-border services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, a 10% Senior discount is applicable to travelers aged 60 and over.
Pennsylvania motor vehicle registration discount from $36 to $10 for RETIREES over 65 who meet an income eligibility requirement. (Complete and submit form MV 371).
Senior Citizen Water Bill discount.
Low-income Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze
Heating and utility bill assistance for seniors may be provided from the Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This resource helps seniors, elderly, and the disabled who meet low-income standards pay their winter heating or summer cooling bills through energy assistance grants. Seniors can also receive aid from this program without being on welfare or government support. If a senior citizen applies at an office of aging and is found to be eligible for LIHEAP, a cash grant payment will be sent directly to the utility company/fuel dealer.
Property Tax and Rent Rebate is offered to some Pennsylvania families. Certain seniors may qualify for a rebate payment of up to $650 for their taxes or rent. The amount of the rebate payments vary according to the senior’s income and the amount of property taxes or rent they paid. Find more information on paying delinquent property taxes.
Save money of prescription drugs from PACE (Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly) as well as county discount cards. PACE is offered for Pennsylvania residents ages 65 or older with limited household incomes. There is another version of the program known as PACENET. The program is open to people who have health insurance or limited prescription benefits through other health insurance.
Holy Redeemer Thrift Shop – Monday 25% off ages 62+
Impact Thrift – Wednesday 15% off ages 60+
Goodwill Keystone Area – Monday 15% off ages 55+
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores has up to 50% discount available for seniors 55+
Beall’s has a 20% discount available for senior citizens 50+ one day of every month
Hancock Fabrics has a 15% discount available for senior citizens 55+ on certain days of the week
Lens Crafters has a 30% discount available for AARP members in Pennsylvania
Alamo has up to 25% discount available for AARP members
Applebee’s has a 15% discount for seniors citizens for seniors 60+ with Golden Apple Card
Ben & Jerry’s has a 10% senior citizen ice cream discount available for seniors 60+ in Pennsylvania
Austin’s Restaurant has a 20% discount for senior citizens 55+
Chili’s – A 10% discount at participating locations. Ages 55+
Carrabba’s Italian Grill – 20% off on Wednesdays to AARP members
Bonefish Grill – 15 % off with AARP card
Dunkin’ Donuts – 10% off or free coffee for seniors 55+
DISCLAIMER: Medi-Solutions Insurance Agency, LLC is not affiliated or endorsed with the Social Security Administration or the Federal Medicare Program. Information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer of insurance, advice, or recommendation. The information provided is not intended as tax, financial, investment, or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.
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