Self-Help forms and Online Resources relating to Public Benefits.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Information for People Helping Others
Information from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for people who are helping others dealing with the SSA, including assisting others in filing an application for disability benefits. This includes a four-part video series that will walk you through the necessary forms and steps needed to file a complete third-party disability application for the person you are assisting.
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. The Toll Free Helpline is open on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning at 8:00 AM Eastern.
Application for a Social Security Card
Apply for a Social Security card online or use the official application form. Use the official form from the Social Security Administration to apply for (1) An original Social Security card; (2) A replacement Social Security card; or (3) A change of information on your record. [PDF] (December 2024)
Application for Payment of Medicare Premiums, Coinsurance and Deductibles [PDF]
The PA 600M is a mail-in application for payment of the Medicare Part B premium only. It is used to help elderly individuals or individuals with disabilities who are eligible for Medicare to pay some or all of their Medicare Part B premium. A face-to-face interview is not required when using this application. The application cannot be used to apply for Medicaid (Medical Assistance), cash assistance or food stamps. (PA 600 M (AS) 8/19)
Apply for Unemployment Compensation Benefits
The Unemployment Compensation (UC) program provides temporary income support if you lose your job through no fault of your own, or if your hours are reduced. This site from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry allows you to file an initial application or file weekly clams and reopen their existing claims for UC benefits via the Internet, telephone or video phone for individuals using American Sign Language.
Apply Online For Social Security Disability Benefits
Online Application for Social Security Disability Benefits
Benefits Check Up for Seniors
BenefitsCheckUp connects older adults and people with disabilities to programs that can help them afford daily expenses, live healthy, and stay independent. This free tool makes it easy to find programs that can boost your budget—then shows you how to learn more and apply online. See what's available in your area by entering your ZIP code on the site.
Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST)
This resource from the Social Security Administration allows you to use the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) to find what Social Security benefits you may be eligible to receive. It is NOT an application for benefits. Answer a few questions to see if you qualify for benefits right now. How long it'll take: 10 minutes or less
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government whose mission is to increase citizen access to benefit information, while reducing the expense and difficulty of interacting with the government. It is a free, online confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive. Use the benefit finder tool or search by category to learn which benefits you and your family may be eligible for and learn how to apply for what you qualify for.
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
COMPASS is an online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human service programs and manage benefit information, including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, LIHEAP and other social service programs.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Use the EITC Assistant
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low to moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. Claiming the credit can reduce the tax you owe and may also give you a larger refund. Use this calculator to find out: (1) If you're eligible for the EITC; (2) If you have any qualifying children or relatives; (3) The estimated amount of your credit; and (4) Your filing status.
File a Weekly Unemployment Compensation Certification
After filing an application for UC benefits, you must file claims for weeks when you are totally or partially unemployed in order to receive UC. This site from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry will allow you to file your claims online.
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!
Reopen an Existing Unemployment Compensation Claim
If you established an initial claim for UC benefits within the past year, stopped filing for those benefits and wish to resume filing, you can reopen your claim using the methods listed on this website.
Social Security Benefit Application - Medicare
Online Medicare application from the Social Security Administration. Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. You’ll sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B through Social Security, so you can make both retirement and Medicare choices and withhold any premiums from your benefit payments.
Social Security Retirement Benefits
The Social Security Retirement benefit is a monthly check that replaces part of your income when you reduce your hours or stop working altogether. It may not replace all your income so it's best to identify other ways to pay for your monthly expenses as you age.
Explore your Medicare Coverage Options
This tool from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services can help you find and compare Medicare coverage options for health care and prescription drug plans in your area. Get more coverage, once you have Part A and/or Part B.
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
Forms and Documents (Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry)
Links to downloadable forms from the PA Department of Labor and Industry. The forms and documents page has important information about keeping safe at work, understanding your rights as an employee, and getting help if you are hurt on the job. It also has details about getting money if you can't work, and getting help to learn new skills if you need it.
Information for People Helping Others
Information from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for people who are helping others dealing with the SSA, including assisting others in filing an application for disability benefits. This includes a four-part video series that will walk you through the necessary forms and steps needed to file a complete third-party disability application for the person you are assisting.
LIHEAP Benefit Amount Table
This tool from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to see the amount of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits you are eligible to receive. Select the county where you live and the type of fuel you use to heat your home or a type you to use for additional heat. The benefit table for your county and the type of fuel you use is displayed listing the LIHEAP benefit amount for your yearly income range and household size.
Medicare: Find & compare providers near you
You can use this tool to find and compare different types of Medicare providers (like physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, and others). Use our maps and filters to help you identify providers that are right for you.
Medigap Policy Search
This interactive tool from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services helps you Find a Medigap Policy in Your Area. In Original Medicare, you generally pay some of the costs for approved services. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is extra insurance you can buy from a private company to help pay your out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. This tool helps you find a policy to cover those out-of-pocket costs.
Pennsylvania CareerLink - Commonwealth Workforce Development System
The Commonwealth Workforce Development System (CWDS) is an Internet-based system of services for use by customers and potential customers of the PA CareerLink® offices. CWDS provides online access to job openings; information about employers; services and training opportunities for job seekers; and labor market information. All of this is available by enrolling on-line with CWDS.
Plan for Retirement - Social Security Retirement Estimator
You can apply for your monthly Retirement benefit anytime between age 62 and 70. Social Security will calculate your payment based on your lifetime earnings. The amount will be higher the longer you wait to apply, up until age 70. The Retirement Estimator produces estimates that are based on your actual Social Security earnings record.
Waiver of Benefit Overpayment - PUA, PEUC or FPUC
A waiver is available for non-fraud overpayments of benefits for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).
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. The Toll Free Helpline is open on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning at 8:00 AM Eastern.
Waiver of Benefit Overpayment - PUA, PEUC or FPUC
A waiver is available for non-fraud overpayments of benefits for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).
Apply for Unemployment Compensation Benefits
The Unemployment Compensation (UC) program provides temporary income support if you lose your job through no fault of your own, or if your hours are reduced. This site from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry allows you to file an initial application or file weekly clams and reopen their existing claims for UC benefits via the Internet, telephone or video phone for individuals using American Sign Language.
Apply Online For Social Security Disability Benefits
Online Application for Social Security Disability Benefits
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
COMPASS is an online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human service programs and manage benefit information, including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, LIHEAP and other social service programs.
Explore your Medicare Coverage Options
This tool from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services can help you find and compare Medicare coverage options for health care and prescription drug plans in your area. Get more coverage, once you have Part A and/or Part B.
Forms and Documents (Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry)
Links to downloadable forms from the PA Department of Labor and Industry. The forms and documents page has important information about keeping safe at work, understanding your rights as an employee, and getting help if you are hurt on the job. It also has details about getting money if you can't work, and getting help to learn new skills if you need it.
Information for People Helping Others
Information from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for people who are helping others dealing with the SSA, including assisting others in filing an application for disability benefits. This includes a four-part video series that will walk you through the necessary forms and steps needed to file a complete third-party disability application for the person you are assisting.
Medicare: Find & compare providers near you
You can use this tool to find and compare different types of Medicare providers (like physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, and others). Use our maps and filters to help you identify providers that are right for you.
Medigap Policy Search
This interactive tool from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services helps you Find a Medigap Policy in Your Area. In Original Medicare, you generally pay some of the costs for approved services. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is extra insurance you can buy from a private company to help pay your out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. This tool helps you find a policy to cover those out-of-pocket costs.
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!
Reopen an Existing Unemployment Compensation Claim
If you established an initial claim for UC benefits within the past year, stopped filing for those benefits and wish to resume filing, you can reopen your claim using the methods listed on this website.
Social Security Benefit Application - Medicare
Online Medicare application from the Social Security Administration. Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. You’ll sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B through Social Security, so you can make both retirement and Medicare choices and withhold any premiums from your benefit payments.
Social Security Retirement Benefits
The Social Security Retirement benefit is a monthly check that replaces part of your income when you reduce your hours or stop working altogether. It may not replace all your income so it's best to identify other ways to pay for your monthly expenses as you age.