Northampton County aging services report growing wait lists as state budget impasse persists

The Area Agency on Aging told the Northampton County Human Services Committee on Nov. 1 that demand for services has outpaced capacity amid a state budget impasse, producing wait lists for in‑home care and other programs.

Laurie Stantolini, who identified herself as a representative of the Area Agency on Aging, said the agency currently sponsors rides for 90 consumers to local senior centers and has provided 11,102 rides since January 2025. She told the committee the agency began a wait list in May and that 105 people are now waiting for in‑home services; four people are on a newer wait list for a caregiver‑support program. "We started the wait list in May, and we currently have a 105 people on that wait list waiting for service," Stantolini said.

The agency also reported program changes tied to external funding timing. Stantolini said the agency’s emergency fuel plan could not start as planned because LIHEAP (the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) delayed its start date to Dec. 3; eligibility for the emergency fuel assistance requires applicants to enroll in…