Senior citizens struggling with the cost of prescriptions might benefit from state legislation signed on Tuesday.

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale applauded the legislature for increasing the income limits used for the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) and PACE Needs Enhancement Tier, or PACENET.

DePasquale said the measure will extend drug benefits to an additional 14,000 Pennsylvania residents age 65 and older and prevent 3,000 others from losing their benefits.

“It's been 15 years since the income limit for the PACENET program has been increased, and I applaud the governor and General Assembly for finally making it happen,” DePasquale said in a news release.

The annual income limits for both single and married seniors were raised by $4,000.

The income limit for a single senior is now $14,500 for PACE and $27,500 for PACENET. The limits for married seniors are $17,700 for PACE and $35,500 for PACENET.

Brittany Buzzelli of the Butler County Area Agency on Aging said while she can't estimate how many in the county could be helped by the new limits, she regularly hears seniors lamenting the fact that they do not qualify for PACE or PACENET.

The seniors ineligible but interested in the program in past years seem aware that the legislation was signed on Tuesday.

“I had about five calls yesterday,” Buzzelli said.

She said in addition to rendering many seniors income eligible for PACE and PACENET, the new legislation closes what was known as the “doughnut hole.” That was a gap in coverage between what insurance pays for a prescription and what seniors pay at the pharmacy.

“It's a great benefit and it is going to help a lot of seniors in Butler County,” Buzzelli said of the changes to the program.

She said many seniors in the county struggle to pay their prescription costs and wished they were eligible for PACE.

“We hear that every day,” Buzzelli said. “There was only so much we could do because if they don't fall within the income limits, that's all there is.”

Buzzelli and her cohorts statewide are thrilled that more seniors can now receive assistance with their prescription costs.

“We are all really excited that Governor Wolf signed the eligibility increase,” she said.

Those interested in learning if they are eligible for PACE or PACENET can call Buzzelli at 724-282-3008. She stressed that the Area Agency on Aging does not take walk-in questions.

More information is also available at www.aging.pa.gov by searching “PACE.”