News from PALawHelp.org
FTC Adds Support for Consumers in Multiple Languages for Fraud and ID Theft Reporting; Offers Multi-lingual Resources on How to Spot, Avoid, and Report Fraud
As part of its ongoing efforts to combat scammers and protect consumers in every community, the Federal Trade Commission is now providing the ability to report fraud, scams and deceptive practices in multiple languages in addition to English and Spanish. These new language access enhancements will allow people to file reports with the FTC in their preferred language when calling the FTC.
PUC and PA Department of Human Services Kick Off Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Season
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) joined with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) to mark the start of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the 2023-24 winter heating season. This year’s LIHEAP season opened today, Nov. 1, 2023.
Shapiro Administration Announces Increases To SNAP Benefit Amounts And Changes To Income Limits, Alerts Public Of Planned EBT Outages
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced changes made by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to SNAP income and benefit limits. DHS is also alerting SNAP recipients of planned, temporary Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) service outages occurring on both October 12, 2023, and October 14, 2023, between 3:00 am and 9:00 am.
Washington County Hosts Free Pop UP Legal Clinic on Custody and Child Support - Oct. 27
Summit Legal Aid and volunteers from the Washington County Bar Association are proud to announce an upcoming FREE Pop-Up Community Legal Clinic about child custody and child support on Friday, October 27, 2023.
National Test of Integrated Public Alert and Warning System to be held on Oct. 4, 2023
A National Test of the Federal Communications Commission's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) will to be held on Oct. 4, 2023 at 2:20 PM. Alerts will be directed to all cell phones and electronic devices during the test.
Shapiro Administration Recognizes Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Discusses Multi-Agency Approach To Strengthen Mental Health Supports And Save Lives
Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, along with leaders from multiple state agencies and suicide prevention advocacy groups, joined together to recognize September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although mental health and suicide prevention are important to address year-round, this month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible.
Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund Applicants (PA HAF) Must Re-Register in System
All PAHAF applicants must re-register in PHFA’s Neighborly system to review and, if needed, update their application information. It’s important to understand that you do not need to reapply to the program, but applications cannot be processed until this re-registration step is taken.
Cooling Program from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program opened for summer 2023
The LIHEAP Crisis Cooling Pilot Program is open! To be eligible for the program, Pennsylvanians must have received assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) during the last 12 months.
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is Reopening for a Limited Time on Monday, July 10, 2023
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is reopening for a limited time on Monday, July 10, 2023! Grants up to $2,500 for water and $2,500 for wastewater/sewer will be provided to eligible customers. Water and wastewater customers will be able to apply through Compass or paper application.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADS: Protect Yourself from Scams
The Federal Trade Commission's Financial Adulting 101 webinars and materials offer advice to help recent graduate from scams.
FREE Webinar: Recovering from Elder Financial Exploitation
Join the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the National Center for Victims of Crime on June 8, 2023, for this FREE webinar. You'll learn about the Recovering from Elder Financial Exploitation report, a financial recovery framework explaining how and when older adults get money back after financial exploitation.
Free Webinar: Oral Health Coverage and Care for Older Adults
This webinar will provide an overview of oral health coverage options for older adults, including Medicare, Medicaid, and VA coverage. Presenters will share practice tips for advocates on how to best connect older adults to oral health coverage and care. The webinar will also provide an overview of other forms of dental coverage and care options, including stand-alone dental plans, clinics, and dental school options.
USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on Self-Selecting a Gender Marker on Forms and Documents
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that, effective immediately, USCIS will accept the self-identified gender marker for individuals requesting immigration benefits.
Dual Eligibility & Medicare Savings Programs Webinar offered by PA Health Law Project
The Pennsylvania Health Law Project is offering an informational webinar entitled Dual Eligibility & Medicare Savings Programs on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM Eastern.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Extended to May 12
The Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP) reports that the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has announced that it will extend the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season by two weeks. LIHEAP will remain open until Friday, May 12, 2023.
IRS 2023 Dirty Dozen List of Tax Scams
The Internal Revenue Service wrapped up the annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for 2023 with a reminder for taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to watch out for these schemes throughout the year, not just during tax season.