Pennsylvania Benefits


Food Stamps

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formally known as food stamps, is the federally funded and state supervised program, created for low income individuals and families who are struggling with their monthly grocery expenses. Its primary goal is to provide financial assistance which could be used to buy food in order to prevent hunger and malnutrition.

SNAP is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW).


LIHEAP

The Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is for low-income residents of Pennsylvania who find it difficult to pay their heating bills. The program does not place any lien on property while giving monetary aid to the qualified households.


Medicaid

Medicaid is a health insurance program created by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, which is also supported by the federal government. In Pennsylvania, this program is also known as Medical assistance. One of its main goals is to help low-income individuals and families in need of quality health care coverage.


SSDI

In Pennsylvania, you can receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits if you meet the eligibility requirements. These benefits offer financial support to former employees who are unable to work because of a serious medical condition.


TANF

Pennsylvania's TANF program provides cash assistance, health care through Medicaid, and emergency housing support. There's a strong focus on employment, with job training and education programs. Child care assistance is also available for working parents.


TEFAP

Pennsylvania's TEFAP, funded by the USDA, includes items like powdered milk, canned soups, and fresh apples. Local agencies, such as community distribution centers, play a key role in providing this food assistance to residents.


Unemployment

Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits are provided to unemployed workers who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own. The benefits are distributed through several UI program such as regular Pennsylvania UI, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employee, Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service Members and Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA). Pennsylvania UI benefits are available to anyone who have worked in Pennsylvania in the past 12-18 months and received at least minimum wages during such period. Claimants should be able and available for work and they need to register and search for work as required by the UI program.


Veterans Disability

Pennsylvania provides Veterans Disability Benefits to veterans who were injured or developed a medical condition during their active military service. There are many benefits available to Pennsylvania veterans, including VA health care, Dependents and Survivor benefits, VA pensions, VA home loans, and much more.


WAP

The Pennsylvania Weatherization Assistance program (WAP) is a federally sponsored program that promotes energy efficiency among low income households in the state of Pennsylvania. The program achieves this by implementing energy efficiency measures in the homes of participating households. By doing this the Pennsylvania Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is able to help these households reduce their energy related costs and as such complements other energy related programs such as Pennsylvania LIHEAP.


WIC

Pennsylvania WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program for low-income women, children and infants living in Pennsylvania and facing nutrition risk. The program provides food, support, and referral for other health services.