Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
PA Health Law Project Toll-Free Helpline - Call: 1-800-274-3258 The PA Health Law Project provides free legal services and advocacy to Pennsylvanians having trouble accessing publicly funded health care coverage or services. For assistance, call the PHLP Helpline at 1-800-274-3258 or 1-866-236-6310 TTY or e-mail the PHLP at staff@phlp.org. Information from the PHLP is also available online at www.phlp.org.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Online Applications, Benefit Screening, Resources and Forms
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
By: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Application for Social Services (COMPASS)
Application for cash assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance Benefits[PDF]
(Separate Website)
This form is a Application for Cash Assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance Benefits
By: Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
PA Health Insurance Eligibility QuickScreen
(Separate Website)
This is a screening tool that the PA Health Law Project has designed, based upon the State's eligibility rules, to help you to figure out if you may be eligible for free or low-cost health care coverage. It is not an official determination of eligibility nor an application for coverage.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
GovBenefits.gov
(Separate Website)
GovBenefits.gov is a free, online confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
By: GovBenefits.gov, a partnership of many Federal agencies and organizations
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Eldercare Locator
(Separate Website)
The Eldercare Locator connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.
By: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Benefits Check Up for Seniors (55+)
(Separate Website)
BenefitsCheckUp is a comprehensive online service to screen for federal, state and some local private and public benefits for older adults (ages 55 and over). BenefitsCheckUp also provides a detailed description of the programs, including the local addresses and phone numbers where to apply.
By: National Council on the Aging
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
PA Health Law Project's Medical Assistance Manual [PDF]
(Separate Website)
A guide for determining your eligibility for free health coverage under the PA Medical Assistance (MA) Program
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Understanding MAWD: The Medical Assistance for Workers With Disabilities Program - A Guide for Advocates
(Separate Website)
Information on the Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities Program (MAWD) which is a public health insurance program available to persons with disabilities who are ages 16 to 64 and who work and receive compensation for their work but whose income and resources do not exceed the established limits
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities
(Separate Website)
Information on the MAWD (Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities) Program which allows qualified persons to purchase Medical Assistance if their income does not exceed 250% of the Federal Poverty Level.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Medical Assistance in PA: Frequently Asked Questions
(Separate Website)
Answers to frequently asked questions about Medical Assistance.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Companion to SSI: Medicaid
(Separate Website)
Information on Medicaid
By: Community Legal Services
You May Be Able to Get Better Medical Assistance!
(Separate Website)
Information on categories of Medical Assistance available in Pennsylvania.
By: Community Legal Services
Understanding MATP: The Medical Assistance Transportation Program
(Separate Website)
Information about transportation services available through the PA Medical Assistance program
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program
(Separate Website)
Information on Medical Assistance coverage for woman with Breast or Cervical cancer or certain precancerous conditions.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
FOR IMMIGRANTS: What should I do if I need to see a doctor?
(Separate Website)
Information for immigrants needing health care.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Health Care for Immigrants - A Manual for Advocates
(Separate Website)
This manual will provide information about the different pieces of the health care system that can fit together to provide complete care for immigrants.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
If I am an immigrant in Pennsylvania, will the government help me pay for medical care?
(Separate Website)
Information on medical assistance for immigrants.
By: Community Legal Services
Immigrants' Rights to Public Benefits in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Information on the rights of immigrants to receive different types of public benefits.
By: Community Legal Services
Important Information: Medicare Beneficiaries Who Have Prescription Coverage Through a Medicaid HMO
Important Information for Medicare Beneficiaries who also have prescription coverage through a Medical Assistance HMO (Gateway, MedPlus+, or UPMC For You) on what you need to do by December 31, 2005.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Important Information: Medicare Beneficiaries with Prescription Coverage Through Medical Assistance
Important Information for Medicare beneficiaries who also have prescription coverage through Medical Assistance (the ACCESS card) about what you need to do by December 31, 2005.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Biling Issues for Consumers with both Medicare and Medical Assistance
(Separate Website)
A guide for Dual Eligible Consumers
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
How Your Medical Assistance Coverage Will Change When You Get Medicare
(Separate Website)
Explanation of what happens to your Medical Assistance when you qualify for Medicare.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Tips on Applying for Welfare Benefits
(Separate Website)
Helpful tips about filing an application for benefits from the Department of Public Welfare.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Benefits Available from the Welfare Office for Low Income Persons
(Separate Website)
A Summary of Benefits avaialble through your County Assistance Office.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
You Have the Right to Disagree with the Welfare Office
(Separate Website)
Information on filing appeals to decisions made by your County Assistance Office.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
How to Appeal Welfare Notices
(Separate Website)
Information for welfare recipients on how to appeal notices received from the Department of Public Welfare
By: Community Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Appealing a Coverage Decision Made by your Medical Assistance Plan
(Separate Website)
Information on the appealing decisions regarding managed care under PA Medical Assistance.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
How to Obtain Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Services in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Booklet explaining how to obtain services under various programs in Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Special Needs Trust
An overview of what a Special Needs Trust is, who needs one, and how to get one.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Homeless People CAN Get Welfare: Here’s How!
(Separate Website)
Information for the homeless on obtaining welfare benefits.
By: Community Legal Services
Impact of Criminal Record on Public Benefits in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Chart of eligibility for public benefits for people with criminal records.
By: Community Legal Services
Public Benefits Consequences of Criminal Convictions in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Information on the effect of a conviction on your ability to obtain and continue to receive public benefits.
By: Community Legal Services
Overview of Welfare and Public Benefits Programs
(Separate Website)
Information on benefits available to low-income working individuals and their families.
By: Community Legal Services
You Can be Excused from Welfare Department Rules Because of Domestic Violence
(Separate Website)
Information on obtaining a waiver from welfare rules based on domestic violence.
By: Community Legal Services
Allegheny County Department of Public Welfare Offices
(Separate Website)
A list of the Allegheny County Department of Public Welfare Offices.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Dual Eligibles' Access to Care: An Advocate's Guide to Assisting the Dual Eligible Consumer in the Philadelphia Area
(Separate Website)
This manual is for advocates and consumers who have Medicare and are also eligible for or enrolled in a Medicaid program. Medicaid in Pennsylvania is called "Medical Assistance? or ?MA.? Persons with Medicare and Medicaid are frequently referred to a ?dual eligibles? due to their being dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
A Guide to Public Benefits
An overview of Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance, Food Stamps, and Low Income Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
How to Appeal a Medical Assistance Denial of Assistive Technology
(Separate Website)
This manual will explain your rights when Medical Assistance, including your Medical Assistance managed health care plan, denies prior authorization or denies a program exception. This includes an approval of something less or different than what your doctor prescribed.
By: Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
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(Separate Website)
