Pennsylvanians can apply for government assistance online.
Today's economy has left many people needing financial help. Having to choose between paying a utility bill and putting food on the table is difficult, no matter what size your family is. Pennsylvanians can find help paying their rent, buying food and paying utility and phone bills through a number of assistance programs and local agencies and organizations.
Information
Knowing you cannot pay your bills is stressful. Not knowing where to turn is even worse. Connect211 is an online information and referral service for Pennsylvanians to find the help they need. This is a project of the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children. Over 12,000 organizations are listed on Connect211, including health-care clinics, day-care providers, job-training programs and assistance offices where you can apply for financial assistance for household expenses and food assistance.
Types of Help
Assistance programs provide help with telephone bills, heating, food, health insurance, child care and rent. There are programs for seniors, the disabled, children and families with dependent children. Cash aid for qualifying households can help families buy food, pay the rent and secure affordable housing. Programs also exist that provide low- or no-cost health insurance, child care, reduce home energy expenses and provide meals to home-bound seniors.
Businesses and Organizations
Pennsylvania utility companies are required to provide Customer Assistance Programs that base a customer's utility bill on their monthly income or usage. Some of these programs also forgive overdue bills. Charitable assistance for energy bills is available through the Dollar Energy Hardship Fund, Philadelphia Utility Emergency Services Fund, Citizens Electric $1 Energy Fund, Operation Roundup and Operation Share. Verizon Pennsylvania offers four programs to help low-income households obtain or maintain telephone service in their home.
Food pantries and food banks provide free food to people in need. The Pennsylvania Association of Regional Food Banks, a nonprofit organization made up of food banks throughout the state, provides a list of county food assistance organizations. Meal Call is a volunteer organization serving most of Pennsylvania that helps Meals on Wheels and senior meal programs throughout the state get the word out about the services they provide. Catholic Charities of Pennsylvania provides help for families and individuals, regardless of their faith. Often they can assist with prescription medications, emergency aid, food, clothing and other essential needs. The United Way, Red Cross and Salvation Army provide emergency assistance as well.
State and Federal Programs
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides rental assistance for qualifying low-income families, the elderly and disabled through public housing, subsidized apartments and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program administered at the state and local level by Community Action Agencies and other organizations. Grant payments are made to local utilities for qualifying households to reduce their utility bills. Pennsylvania's State Food Purchase Program provides cash grants to counties to buy food for distribution to low-income individuals. This program supplements the resources of soup kitchens, food pantries, feeding programs and homeless shelters. Food stamp benefits are available for qualifying households and individuals. You can apply for food stamps at a local county assistance office or online. Cash assistance may also be available through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or the General Assistance Program. You can apply for all of these programs, as well as health coverage, child-care help and heating assistance through the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
Availability
Charitable organizations often operate on limited funds and resources, which limits the amount of help they can provide and the number of people they reach. Some organizations receive funding at the first of the month and distribute assistance on a first-come-first-served basis. If you need cash assistance from one of these organizations, it is advisable to ask for help as early as possible. LIHEAP, although it is a federally funded program, operates with limited funding. Qualifying households may only receive assistance once per program and only if funds are available. HUD subsidized apartments and public housing is available on a limited basis. Applicants are often put on a waiting list. HUD recommends applying to several public housing apartments if you are placed on a waiting list.
Tags: public housing, qualifying households, Assistance Program, available through, child care, federally funded