PUBLIC BENEFITS

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PUBLIC BENEFITS

GET HELP: PUBLIC BENEFITS

CASH ASSISTANCE

If you apply for cash assistance and are turned down, CLS can help you appeal to the county assistance office. Our advocates can also help you regain benefits if they change or are cut off.

CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES

Childcare subsidies help you pay for child care while you are in school, at work, or in other approved programs. CLS represents families seeking help with getting or keeping child care subsidies.

CRIMINAL RECORDS AND PUBLIC BENEFITS

CLS can assist individuals who cannot access public benefits due to a criminal record and determine eligibility for criminal record clearing.

HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES FOR SENIORS

CLS provides advice and representation to people whose eligibility to receive Long Term Services and Supports at home is denied or terminated, and those who are denied the services or hours of care that they need to live safely at home.

IDENTITY DOCUMENTS

If you need a photo ID, Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, or other form of ID, CLS can help you collect necessary documents, figure out your options, and advocate for you with any relevant offices.

LIHEAP (HEAT ASSISTANCE)

CLS advocates are experts in determining your rights to LIHEAP. We may be able to represent you if you have been wrongfully denied.

MEDICAID

CLS represents people who have legal problems getting or keeping Medical Assistance, also known as MA or Medicaid.

MEDICARE

CLS can provide advice and advocate with providers for many legal issues related to Medicare, including appeals/denials/reductions, savings and extra-help programs, and balance billing issues.

NURSING HOMES

CLS provides legal advice and representation to people facing involuntary nursing home discharges, and those who have concerns about their Medicaid eligibility or quality of care.

PERSONAL CARE HOMES

CLS will directly represent Personal Care Home (PCH) residents with involuntary discharges, resident rights issues and quality of care concerns.

SNAP (FOOD STAMPS)

Most low-income people are eligible for SNAP, or food stamps. CLS can help you if your SNAP application is denied or your benefits are cut off or reduced.

SSI / SOCIAL SECURITY

CLS helps people with serious disabilities qualify for and keep Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from the Social Security Administration.

WIC

WIC is a health & nutrition program that offers women, infants, and children food vouchers for nutritious food. CLS may be able to help you if you have been denied WIC or if you have a problem with your WIC benefits.

NEWS ABOUT BENEFITS

Dec102020

No Child Should Live in Deep Poverty: Strengthen TANF for PA Families and for Racial Justice

December 10, 2020

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federally-funded block grant that provides cash assistance to the poorest Pennsylvania families. Parents are required to actively…

Dec82020

Report: Racial Disparities in Access to Supplemental Security Income Benefits for Children

December 8, 2020

SSI for children is crucial support for families in need. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides critical financial support to people with disabilities who experience economic…

Dec42020

SNAP Benefits are Arriving Early in December!

December 4, 2020

What You Need To Know ALL December SNAP benefits will be loaded to EBT cards by Dec. 11 in a one-time payment for the whole…

Dec12020

More SNAP on your EBT Card: What You Need to Know

December 1, 2020

December SNAP Benefits WIll Be Issued Early. Click Here to Learn More Extra SNAP benefits are now available for December 2020! If you get SNAP,…

Nov202020

CLS Releases Recommendations for the Biden-Harris Administration

November 20, 2020

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS), one of the largest and most respected legal services programs in the nation, congratulates President-Elect Joseph Biden and Vice…

Oct182020

Act Now: You Can Still Receive Your Full Stimulus Payment in 2020

October 18, 2020

URGENT UPDATE: Act Quickly to Get a Stimulus Payment in 2020! New Deadline for Social Security, SSI, and Veterans Benefits Recipients with Children! Starting now, SSI and…