November 16, 2020 DHS Warns of Potential Pandemic EBT Benefit Scam The Department of Human Services (DHS) is warning of a possible scam concerning Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits and reminding Pennsylvanians to be skeptical of unsolicited or random calls or text messages about public-assistance programs – especially when the calls or text messages solicit personal information, such as Social Security numbers. About DHS is investigating a report of individuals receiving calls with pre-recorded messages advising them to expedite their P-EBT benefits issuance by providing their Social Security number and case record number. In the message, the speaker claims to be from a County Assistance Office (CAO). DHS and other government agencies do not ask for information about P-EBT, SNAP, or any other public-assistance programs via unsolicited or random calls or texts, and Pennsylvanians should not reply to such a call or text or share any personal information if they are contacted in this way. If you or anyone you work with receive unsolicited or random calls or text messages telling you that you qualify for assistance and then asking for personal information, it is most likely a scam. Do not respond. Delete the message so you do not get caught in an identity theft scam. Pennsylvanians who have questions about whether a call, text, letter, or other communication is legitimate should contact DHS’ Office of Income Maintenance. Clients in Philadelphia should call the Philadelphia Customer Service Center at 215.560.7226. Clients in all other counties can call the Statewide Customer Service Center at 1.877.395.8930. Apply for Benefits Applications for the SNAP and other public assistance programs can be submitted online at www.compass.state.pa.us. All Pennsylvanians experiencing financial hardships due to the pandemic, a lost job, or a change in income are strongly encouraged to apply and see if they qualify for assistance with food, health care, and other essential needs. More Information For more information, read the full press release. To learn about food assistance resources for people around Pennsylvania impacted by COVID-19 and the accompanying economic insecurity, visit the Department of Agriculture’s food security guide. *Information provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
October 13, 2020 CARES Funds Available For Eligible Families Individuals and families who are unable to meet basic and urgent needs on their own due to loss of income, reduced income, or insufficient income caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to receive Community Services Block Grant CARES Act supplemental funds. About Assistance is available to help individuals and families cover costs associated with rent or mortgage, utilities, transportation, home repairs, food, child care, household supplies, and other needs as identified by the eligible individual/family. This assistance is capped at $1,000 and payments will generally be made to third parties on behalf of the eligible individual or family. Eligibility Criteria To qualify, applicants must live in Allegheny County outside of the city of Pittsburgh and be 18 years of age or older. Additionally, their household income for the 30-day period prior to applying must not exceed 200% Federal Poverty Level. For a household of one, this equates to $2,127 per month or $25,520 annually. For a family of four, this equates to $4,367 per month or $52,400 annually. More Information For more information, contact the appropriate community service agency below: For residents of Allegheny Valley communities: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches; Beth Kendra; 724-226-0606, ext. 10; beth@avaoc.org For residents of Mon Valley and eastern suburban communities: Human Services Center Corporation, Anna Hudson, 412-436-9537, ahudson@hscc-mvpc.org For residents of northern and western communities: North Hills Community Outreach, Stephanie Kobert, 412-408-3210, sdkobert@nhco.org For residents of southern communities: South Hills Interfaith Movement, Elizabeth Henninger; 412-854-9120, ext. 104; ehenninger@shimcares.org
July 14, 2020 Rent Assistance Available in Allegheny County Allegheny County is partnering with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) to jointly fund the CARES Rent Relief Program. Through the program, individuals experiencing job loss or loss of income due to COVID-19 can apply for rent payment assistance. Available Assistance Up to $750 per month per household in state-funded rental assistance. Up to $750 per month per household in Allegheny County-funded rental assistance. Up to $200 per month per household in County funding to cover additional household costs for gas, electric, and/or internet; late fees charged by the landlord and/or utility company; and/or court costs. Payments will be made to the landlord on behalf of the renter for a maximum of six months of assistance between March 1 and November 30, 2020 (may include December rent). Funds can be used to pay rent from March 1 to December 31, 2020. Eligibility To be eligible for program, individuals must meet the following criteria: The renter must have experienced job loss or a reduction in annual income due to COVID-19. The renter’s income may not exceed the Area Median Income for Allegheny County (adjusted for the number of people in the household). The renter must document at least a 30 percent reduction in income since March 1, 2020 due to COVID-19 OR the renter must have become unemployed, as verified by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, after March 1, 2020 as a result of COVID-19. Submit an Application To submit an application, visit the CARES Rent Relief Program page. Applications can be submitted from July 6 through September 30, 2020. More Information For questions, contact the Allegheny County Department of Human Services at 412.248.0021 or ahicaresrrp@actionhousing.org.
May 27, 2020 Saving for Your Child’s College Tuition Saving for college isn’t impossible. All you need is a plan. The Pennsylvania 529 College and Career Savings Program two plans and many investment options that have helped over 205,000 families of all income levels answer one of their biggest financial concerns: how to afford college. Join the Pennsylvania 529 College and Career Savings Program for their webinar to learn more. About During the webinar, participants will learn about the following topics: how you can save for college and save on your Pennsylvania income taxes; how you can avoid paying any federal or state income taxes on your college savings growth; how you can save for college with little impact on your chances for financial aid; how you can save for a semester of college today and cover a semester in the future no matter when or how much tuition has increased; and how saving can be made easy. Registration Webinar sessions are available on the dates listed below. Please use the links to navigate to the event’s registration pages. Friday, May 29, 2020 | 10 – 11 a.m. | GoToWebinar Tuesday, June 16, 2020 | 12 – 1:30 p.m. | GoToWebinar More Information For more information, please contact the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program at 800.440.4000 or PA529@patreasury.gov.
July 15, 2019 Cliff Effect Public Service Announcement Seeks Focus Group Circles Greater Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development are seeking individuals who are willing to be interviewed and recorded for a Public Service Announcement that will raise awareness on the Cliff Effect. Participants selected will be compensated. About The Cliff Effect impacts individuals who are: working, but still eligible for certain subsidies such as Section 8 or public housing, Child Care Assistance, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and more at risk of losing benefits because of an increase in income faced with choosing between a raise/increased income or receiving benefits Available Sessions There are two available session dates: Thursday, July 18, 6 – 8 p.m. Carnegie Library East Liberty | 130 S. Whitfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Saturday, July 20, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Gallery on Penn | 5937 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Registration To register for the Cliff Effect groups, complete this form. Share this flyer with your network.
July 3, 2019 Adjusted WIC Income Guidelines Effective Starting July 1 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that starting July 1, 2019, adjusted income eligibility guidelines will be used to determine the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). About Income Guidelines Income eligibility for the WIC Program is determined using income standards as prescribed under section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The income limit is 185 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines, as adjusted. Section 9(b) also requires that these guidelines be revised annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. The annual revision for 2019 was published by the Department of Health and Human Services on February 1, 2019. In accordance with the established income guidance, the revised WIC income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with WIC regulations. See the Revised Guidelines Click here to view the revised WIC Income Guidelines. More Information To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania WIC website or call 412.350.5801. *Information provided by the USDA
November 28, 2018 Film Screening | We Wear the Mask: The Hidden Faces of Women in Poverty Join Just Films in their free screening of Pittsburgh filmmaker Tammy Thompson’s “We Wear the Mask.” After the screening, Thompson and the women featured in the documentary will participate in a panel discussion and Q&A session. This event is free and open to the public. Register here. For any questions, contact Melody Harris via phone (412.365.1578) or email (m.harris@chatham.edu). About the Film “We Wear the Mask” powerfully represents the challenges for low-income women in Pittsburgh, and demonstrates the psychological effects of poverty. Women are disproportionately disadvantaged by growing economic inequality in our country and region. This evocative documentary follows three different women who have faced similar struggles, and illuminates the human impact of economic injustice through their stories. Just Films Just Films is brought to you by the Chatham University Women’s Institute, Gwen’s Girls, the Women and Girls Foundation, the Women’s Law Project, and YWCA Greater Pittsburgh. Share their flyer with your networks.
