August 13, 2024 Department of Human Services Warns of EBT Card Scams Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services is warning that scammers are skimming electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to steal benefits from state residents. Learn More DHS is warning EBT card users not to use third party apps to check balances. Those who believe their EBT card has been compromised should reach out to their local County Assistance Office to report suspected fraud and replace their card. A list of County Assistance Offices can be found online. EBT balance and transfer inquiries and card replacements can be requested from DHS’ EBT contractor,Conduent, at 888-328-7366. Those who have Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits stolen can have them replaced by filling out a benefit theft claim within 60 days of the incident. Claim forms can be found on DHS’ website. ATM and Point-of-Sale Terminal Skimming DHS has provided tips involving ATMs or Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals when using EBT cards: Inspect POS terminals, ATMs, and other card readers before using. Look for anything loose, crooked, damaged or scratched. Don’t use a card reader if you notice anything unusual. Pull at the edges of the keypad before entering your PIN. If it comes loose or reveals another keypad underneath, do not use as it might be a skimming device. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN to prevent cameras from recording your entry. Use ATMs in well-lit, indoor locations, which are less vulnerable targets. Be alert for skimming devices in tourist areas, which are popular targets.
July 31, 2024 Licensed Providers Asked to Fill Out Survey in Wake of Worldwide IT Outages The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) is asking for providers to fill out a survey after widespread Microsoft technology outages. Learn More PEMA wants to assess the impacts to the state Department of Human Services’ licensing due to the outages that have been reported as of July 19. The survey for providers features questions that pertain to licensed facilities to determine the impact at the facility level. In mid-July, a security patch from Crowdstrike – a major cybersecurity company – caused worldwide IT outages that span many applications and platforms, including Microsoft products. The DHS requests that all licensed providers complete the Microsoft Forms Survey even if they are not currently experiencing any interruptions. Licensed providers only need to complete the form once, so those filling it out should coordinate within their agency to ensure there is no duplication of reporting efforts. The survey is now available online.
October 4, 2023 Free Winter Coats For Children Update: As of October 12, 2023, winter coats are no longer available. The Center for Community Resources, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, is providing free winter coats for children. Learn More Beginning Wednesday, October 4, families can visit the ELRC Region 5 main office (304 Wood Street Suite 400 Pittsburgh, PA 15222) during normal business hours to receive winter coats for their families while supplies last. For details, view this flyer (PDF).
September 12, 2022 Summer P-EBT for PA Children Approved The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) helps families cover the cost of breakfasts and lunches their children would have been eligible to receive for free or at reduced price through the National School Lunch Program funding for meals missed while being out of school during the pandemic. The money on these cards can be used for food only. Once believed to be a short-term program, P-EBT has now transformed into a longer-term federal response to the national public health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Summer P-EBT Benefits Eligible families will receive a Summer P-EBT payment of $391 per child for June, July, and August months. School-Age Children Beginning September 12 and ending on September 23, 2022, the PA Department of Human Services (PA DHS) will issue Summer P-EBT to the following school year 2021-22 Pre-k-12 students who: were already enrolled in their school’s Free or Reduced-Price Meals program; or attended a school where all students are automatically enrolled in the Free Meals program through the “community eligibility provision” (CEP). (CEP allows public schools with many low-income families to enroll all its students in the free meals program. This should not be confused with the recent pandemic school meals fee waiver).; or were enrolled in their school’s Free or Reduced-Price Meals program or in a CEP school but did virtual instruction through that school during the past year due to concerns about COVID-19; or didn’t enroll in the Free or Reduced-Price Meals program until after May 2022 but before August 21, 2022. The Summer P-EBT benefit will begin to be issued to these students on October 11. For Children Birth through Five From October 20-21, 2022, PA DHS will issue the Summer P-EBT payment to families who were receiving SNAP benefits for their young child at any time in June, July, or August. Benefits Benefits will be issued on existing EBT or P-EBT cards. If your child never received P-EBT before, the state will automatically send them a new card or will try to deposit their benefits on your EBT card if you currently receive SNAP benefits for your child and the state can match your child’s info from their school to your SNAP account. If you no longer have your child’s previous P-EBT card, you can request a new one through the state’s P-EBT Portal. If you no longer have your SNAP EBT card, you can request a replacement by calling 1-877-395-8930. More Information For more details, visit the PA Department of Human Services and the Just Harvest websites.
December 10, 2021 Apply for a Children’s Trust Fund Grant The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is accepting applications for Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) grants. About the Children’s Trust Fund Grants The purpose of the CTF grants is to promote community-based primary and secondary child abuse and neglect prevention programs throughout the Commonwealth. Any organization located and operating in Pennsylvania that provides direct services and meets the criteria is eligible to apply for a CTF grant. CTF funds are available for up to a three-year grant cycle that will begin on the effective date of the grant agreement and end on June 30, 2025. The focus is to support community-based child abuse and neglect prevention projects. Selected Applicants must use Evidence-Based or Evidence-Informed programs that focus on the parent or primary caregiver, and their child, or the whole family. The program can’t focus solely on the child. The maximum CTF grant award is $50,000 per year, and applicants must provide a minimum local match of 25 percent of the requested CTF grant award for the first year and a minimum local match of 50 percent of the requested grant award for the second and third grant years. The continuation of CTF grants each year of the three-year cycle is contingent upon the availability of funds and successful program evaluation of the project. How to Apply Application details and forms are available at the eMarketPlace website. Each Applicant must submit one complete copy of the Submittal via email to RAPWRFAQUESTIONS@PA.GOV. The subject line of the email must indicate “RFA 17-21 Application”. Applications are due by 12 p.m. on January 13, 2022. The CTF Board will vote to approve the number of awards at their meeting on March 31. 2022. Questions Questions must be submitted via email only, with the subject line “RFA # 17-21 Question,” to Eric McCoy at RAPWRFAQUESTIONS@PA.GOV. Applicants must submit questions as they arise, but no later than 12 p.m. December 14, 2021. Written answers to the questions submitted will be posted on December 22, 2021 on the Department of General Services’ (DGS) website at the eMarketPlace website.
