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This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Other Disability Issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Community HealthChoices Toolkit
Community HealthChoices (CHC) is a new waiver program for individuals over 21 years old with a disability who previously received services through the Independence, CommCare, or Aging Waivers. This toolkit was developed by the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Health Law Project to provide information on CHC.
Guardianship in Pennsylvania
The purpose of this booklet from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania is to describe Pennsylvania's guardianship procedures to persons with disabilities, their parents, service providers, advocates, and friends. (July 2025)
PA Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older. This webpage from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue explains who is eligible for the rebate program and how to apply.
Rights and Wrongs in Medicaid-Funded Assisted Living
This guide from Justice on Aging provides information about federal laws that apply to "assisted living facilities". The term “assisted living facility” applies here to a licensed residential facility that provides meals, assistance with activities of daily living, and other services to a resident population of older persons. Although this guide focuses on assisted living, the relevant federal laws cover any similar residential setting reimbursed through Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), including HCBS-funded facilities for persons with disabilities, such as group homes and adult residential facilities. (December 2023)
What is a Social Security representative payee?
Information on the duties and responsibilities of a Representative Payee appointed by the Social Security Administration to receive Social Security or SSI benefits for anyone who can’t manage or direct the management of their benefits. A Social Security representative payee is appointed by the Social Security Administration to manage Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefit payments for people who need help managing their money. (JUNE 27, 2023)
Power of Attorney
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network about what a power of attorney is and when you should use one. (2022)
Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania
Information from Northwestern Legal Services on what is a Power of Attorney (POA), guidelines when selecting an agent, what happens if I become mentally unable to make my own decisions, when does it go into effect, when does it end, and the process involved in setting up a POA. (10/2018)
Online Services: Social Security Administration
This webpage of the Social Security Administration described the online services available from Social Security including apply for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits online. The page allows you to create a My Social Security account. you can use to check the status of an application or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas), print a benefit verification letter, and more – from anywhere and from any of your devices!
Community HealthChoices Toolkit
Community HealthChoices (CHC) is a new waiver program for individuals over 21 years old with a disability who previously received services through the Independence, CommCare, or Aging Waivers. This toolkit was developed by the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Health Law Project to provide information on CHC.
Completing the Employability Assessment Form (PA 1663) - A Guide for Healthcare Providers
Information for health care providers explaining how to effectively complete the Employability Assessment Form to verify your patient's health conditions, illnesses, and/or disabilities to support your patient’s application for Medical Assistance. (Nov. 2019)
Criminal Record Clearing for Individuals With Disabilities
Neighborhood Legal Services has developed a new project focusing on educating individuals with disabilities and service providers about the criminal record clearing process and providing legal assistance to those individuals who qualify for expungements or petition-based sealing. Because individuals may already face barriers to employment and housing, it is critical to remove any barriers caused by the existence of a criminal record. This brochure provides information from Neighborhood Legal Services for individuals with disabilities and service providers about the criminal record clearing process.
Power of Attorney
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network about what a power of attorney is and when you should use one. (2022)
Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania
Information from Northwestern Legal Services on what is a Power of Attorney (POA), guidelines when selecting an agent, what happens if I become mentally unable to make my own decisions, when does it go into effect, when does it end, and the process involved in setting up a POA. (10/2018)
Prisoners' Rights Handbook
A handbook from the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project which provides an overview of the rights of prisoners. This provides a Guide to Correctional Law Decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States & the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (2013)
Special Needs Trust
Northwestern Legal Services provides an overview of what a Special Needs Trust is, who needs one, and how to get one. (October 2018)
Continuation of Health Coverage - COBRA
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. Qualified individuals may be required to pay the entire premium for coverage up to 102% of the cost to the plan.
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs
Home and community-based services are also known as waiver-funded services or waiver programs. The name waiver comes from the fact that the federal government "waives" medical assistance rules for institutional care in order for Pennsylvania to use the funds for HCBS. HCBS provides for supports and services beyond those covered by the Medical Assistance (also referred to as Medicaid) program that enables a person to remain in a community setting rather than being admitted to a Long Term Care Facility. Currently, the Department of Human Services administers 12 HCBS programs. Each HCBS program has its own eligibility requirements and services. If a person is determined eligible for more than one HCBS program, the person cannot receive services under two or more such programs at the same time. The person must choose one HCBS program and receive the services provided by it.
Office of Disability Employment Policy - Program Policies
Comprehensive online federal government listings designed to provide people with disabilities information from across the government.
Online Services: Social Security Administration
This webpage of the Social Security Administration described the online services available from Social Security including apply for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits online. The page allows you to create a My Social Security account. you can use to check the status of an application or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas), print a benefit verification letter, and more – from anywhere and from any of your devices!
PA ABLE Savings Program for Disability-Related Expenses
A PA ABLE account gives individuals with qualified disabilities (Eligible Individuals), and their families and friends, a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses, while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts.
PA Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older. This webpage from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue explains who is eligible for the rebate program and how to apply.
What is a Social Security representative payee?
Information on the duties and responsibilities of a Representative Payee appointed by the Social Security Administration to receive Social Security or SSI benefits for anyone who can’t manage or direct the management of their benefits. A Social Security representative payee is appointed by the Social Security Administration to manage Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefit payments for people who need help managing their money. (JUNE 27, 2023)
Applying for Personal Care Service for Children with Disabilities
Through this fact sheet, Disability Rights Pennsylvania seeks to provide you with some background about personal care services and some practical information on how you can apply for such services. Personal care services are services prescribed by a physician that are designed to provide assistance to individuals with their activities of daily living (e.g., getting up, dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, eating, and meal preparation).
Guardianship in Pennsylvania
The purpose of this booklet from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania is to describe Pennsylvania's guardianship procedures to persons with disabilities, their parents, service providers, advocates, and friends. (July 2025)
How to Report Your Income When You Are Working
Did you know that as an employed recipient of Social Security you are responsible for reporting your earnings? If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you or your representative must promptly report any changes in your work activity at the end of every month. This provides information on your responsibilities and how to report from Disability Rights Pennsylvania.
Inmate Rights under the ADA
This brochure from Disability Rights Pennsylvania is designed to provide general answers to a few commonly-asked questions about how the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to inmates. (February 2018)
Private Disability Insurance
This fact sheet from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania contains general information about private disability insurance. (February 2018)
Rights and Wrongs in Medicaid-Funded Assisted Living
This guide from Justice on Aging provides information about federal laws that apply to "assisted living facilities". The term “assisted living facility” applies here to a licensed residential facility that provides meals, assistance with activities of daily living, and other services to a resident population of older persons. Although this guide focuses on assisted living, the relevant federal laws cover any similar residential setting reimbursed through Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), including HCBS-funded facilities for persons with disabilities, such as group homes and adult residential facilities. (December 2023)