Oppose the Presidential Administration’s Proposal to Take Food Away from 755,000 People
The Presidential Administration’s proposal would take food away from 755,000 people, including 90,000 Pennsylvanians.
Important Information About Pennsylvania General Assistance
The Pennsylvania General Assistance Program Ended August 1, 2019 Frequently Asked Questions 1. Will my cash assistance end? It depends. If you are pregnant or caring for a child who is related to you, your cash assistance should not end. You are not getting General Assistance. If you are not caring for a child, and your only income…
Need Help Paying for Food? Most Community College Students Can Now Get SNAP (Food Stamps)
Good news! Most low-income community college students can get SNAP benefits (food stamps). Apply Now! Until now, most students could only get SNAP if they are working 20 hours a week, receive work study, have young children, or have health problems. Because of a new policy, now Pennsylvania’s community college students who are in programs…
Foster Youth Can Now Apply for SSI 6 Months Before Leaving Care
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a new policy to help youth transitioning out of foster care access Supplemental Security Income (SSI)! Youth transitioning out of foster care are a particularly vulnerable population. Studies have confirmed what advocates in the field know from experience – that youth who age out of foster care are more likely…
Do I Need a Medical Form To Get Medicaid?
Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid in 2015. Before Medicaid expansion, most lower-income adults who wanted Medicaid had to get forms from their doctors saying that they had health problems. Now, most lower-income adults can get Medicaid without medical forms. Q: Why does the welfare office ask for a medical form? A: Before Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid in…
Youth Justice: Child Care Subsidies
Billie Washington was struggling to make ends meet. A former home care attendant, she was no longer able to work due to her rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other illnesses. While waiting for her disability benefits hearing, she began receiving General Assistance. Ms. Washington carefully budgeted the monthly $205.00 to cover her rent, toiletries, medical co-payments, and public transportation to get to doctor’s appointments. When she found out that General Assistance was being eliminated, Ms. Washington felt like she had the rug yanked out from under her. Describing the feeling of desperation, she said, “I was crushed. I just, I didn’t know what I was going to do.”
Has Social Security Told You You’ve Been Overpaid?
What is a Social Security/SSI overpayment? An “overpayment” is when the Social Security Administration (SSA) gave you benefits when they shouldn’t have or paid you more than they were supposed to. If SSA thinks they overpaid you, they will want their money back. If you do nothing, SSA will collect the overpayment by taking money…
Getting Help from the Social Security Office When You Don’t Speak or Understand English Well
You have the right to be served in your language when you deal with the Social Security office. They are required to provide free interpretation for people who don’t speak or understand English well. Oral Interpretation: No matter what language you speak, you have the right to an interpreter to help you communicate with people…
If you are 16 or 17 and receive SSI, start preparing now for review of your SSI case!
When you turn 18, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews your case to see if you still meet the requirements to receive SSI. The rules change when you turn 18, and some people lose their benefits. START PREPARING NOW for review of your SSI case! Here’s how: Keep all of your school records. The Social Security…
SSI for Children
What is SSI for children? SSI for children is a cash assistance program for low-income families who are caring for children with physical and/or mental disabilities. How does the Social Security Administration (SSA) decide if my child is disabled? SSA will look at how severe your child’s medical conditions are and how they interfere…
