Cash Assistance Programs
Legal Information
Information and resources about issues relating to Cash Assistance Programs (other than TANF) in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
Application for cash assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance Benefits
You can apply for cash assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance benefits online with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Paper forms can also be printed from the website.
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
Application for cash assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance Benefits
You can apply for cash assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance benefits online with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Paper forms can also be printed from the website.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Should I Apply? - Use the EITC Assistant
The Internal Revenue Service provides this online resource for you to use to find out if you are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by answering a few simple questions and providing basic income information.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
GetInternet.gov
This website provides a a simple, easy-to-use one-stop resource with details on how you can sign up for Affordable Connectivity Program (ACF), which provides a subsidy for broadband internet service, and find participating internet providers who will provide broadband service in their area for a cost equal to the ACF subsidy, resulting in no cost to the consumer.
Am I Eligible for Public Assistance?
Information from Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid about your eligibility for cash assistance; medical assistance; food assistance; and utility assistance.
Cash Assistance - What You Need to Know
Information from Northwestern Legal Services regarding cash assistance and important information you should be aware of such as time limits, work requirements, special rules, and income and resource rules.
A Guide to Public Benefits
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. provides this guide to some programs that are funded by the government to provide help to individuals and families during times of need.
Benefits Available for Low Income Persons
A Summary of Benefits available through your County Assistance Office from Neighborhood Legal Services Association.
Tips on Applying for Welfare Benefits
Helpful tips from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about filing an application for benefits from the Department of Public Welfare.
Child Care Subsidies
Information on the subsidized child care program that pays for part of the cost of child care for eligible families. This information is from the Youth Justice Project of Philadelphia, distributed through Community Legal Services of Philadelphia.
How to Get Child Care and Other Supportive Services When Your Family Gets Food Stamps, But Not Cash
Families that get SNAP (food stamps), but not cash assistance ("SNAP-only" households) can get many of same special allowances for supportive services (SPALs) to attend school or job skills training that cash assistance families get. This fact sheet from the Community Justice Project contains information on obtaining supportive services from the County Assistance Office if your household only receives Food Stamp Benefits
Impact of Criminal Record on Public Benefits in Pennsylvania
Chart from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia outlining the effect on the eligibility for public benefits for people with criminal records.
Self-Sufficiency Through Education and Training
Legal education brochure from Northwestern Legal Services on strategies for parents pursuing self-sufficiency and getting a plan for education and training into action.
Subsidized Child Care Program
Fact sheet from Northwestern Legal Services outlining the Subsidized Child Care Program operated by the Department of Human Services. (October 2018)
The KEYS Program - Things to Know
Information fact sheet from Northwestern Legal Services regarding the Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS) Program in Pennsylvania.
Agreement of Mutual Responsibility
Information from Northwestern Legal Services on the Agreement of Mutual Responsibility (AMR). How you can make your AMR work for you, defining goals, and what to do if your caseworker does not agree with your AMR.
How to Access Benefits During Coronavirus: SNAP (Food Stamps), Medicaid, TANF & LIHEAP
If you lost a job or your hours were cut because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be eligible for SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, cash assistance (TANF) or heating bill assistance (LIHEAP).
Information about Child Care Subsidies for parents ages 16-24
Information on subsidized child care for young parents from the Youth Justice Project through Community Legal Services of Philadelphia.
Low-Income Telephone and Internet Assistance Programs
Information from Northwestern Legal Services regarding telephone assistance programs that are available to low-income individuals.
Status of Various Benefit Programs through the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services during COVID-19
Information about the status of public benefit programs during the COVID-19 Crisis.
TANF - Qualifications & Requirements
Information on Temporary Aid to Needy Families, or TANF, from Northwestern Legal Services, including how to apply and what benefits are available, and what qualifications must be met to be eligible for the benefit payments.
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Information on Temporary Aid to Needy Families, which is a program that provides cash assistance to families with dependent children for a limited time while helping them become self-sufficient.
You Have the Right to Disagree with the Welfare Office
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on filing appeals to decisions made by your County Assistance Office.
Young Parents and Welfare Benefits
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project providing information about the types of benefits that might be available to young parents and pregnant teens.
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
Cash Assistance
Information on Cash Assistance programs administered by the PA Department of Human Services.
Diversion and Moving to Independence
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on the Diversion program. Diversion is a way for families to choose short-term help in the form of a one-time lump sum payment rather than long-term ongoing cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Earned Income Tax Credit - Are You Eligible
Information from the Internal Revenue Services on the Earned Income Tax Credit and whether you qualify.
State Blind Pension Program and Moving to Independence
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on the State Blind Pension Program, which provides blind pension benefits for adults who meet visual requirements and other conditions of eligibility.
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services provides information on the EBT benefit delivery system which provides public assistance recipients with electronic access to their cash and food stamp benefits.
Child Care Works Subsidized Child Care Program
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services about Child Care Works, Pennsylvania's plan for improving the quality and increasing the availability of safe, affordable child care for Pennsylvania's working families.
Homeless Assistance Programs
Information on the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services' Homeless Assistance Programs and services available to homeless and near homeless individuals and families.
Refugee Cash Assistance
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is dedicated to helping low-income families and individuals living in Pennsylvania move to independence through the Refugee Cash Assistance Program, which provides money for up to eight months from the date of entry into the United States for refugees who do not meet Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility requirements.
Pennsylvania Tax Forgiveness Program
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue on how the Pennsylvania Tax Forgiveness Program works.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
GetInternet.gov
This website provides a a simple, easy-to-use one-stop resource with details on how you can sign up for Affordable Connectivity Program (ACF), which provides a subsidy for broadband internet service, and find participating internet providers who will provide broadband service in their area for a cost equal to the ACF subsidy, resulting in no cost to the consumer.
Paying for Child Care
The state and federal governments have made funding available to assist qualifying low income families pay for their child care fees through the subsidized child care program. Find out if you are eligible.
STAY CONNECTED with the Lifeline Telephone and Broadband Assistance Program
The Lifeline Program is a federal government benefit that provides eligible low-income consumers a monthly discount on their phone or internet bill. The benefit can be used for voice (telephone), Broadband internet Access Service (or BIAS, usually called internet service), or a combined telephone/internet service product from a landline or wireless provider.