News from PALawHelp.org
Shapiro Administration Reminds Pennsylvanians of REAL ID Enforcement Beginning on May 7
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is are encouraging Pennsylvanians to obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card. to ensure they can fly domestically without disruptions and enter federal buildings and facilities after May 7.
Shapiro Administration Reminds SNAP Recipients to Change EBT Card PINs Ahead of Monthly Distribution to Prevent Theft of Benefits
To protect their benefits, SNAP recipients should change their PIN every month and ensure skimming devices are not attached when swiping their cards.
Social Security to Reinstate 100% Overpayment Recovery Rate
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced it will increase the default overpayment withholding rate for Social Security beneficiaries to 100 percent of a person’s monthly benefit rather than the recent adjustment of just 10 percent.
As SNAP Fraud Spikes Nationwide, DHS Announces Proactive Efforts to Protect Pennsylvanians, Remind Recipients to Secure EBT Cards
The PA Department of Human Services announced plans for an upcoming text message alert warning Pennsylvanians of recent increases nationwide of SNAP fraud – especially incidents of card skimming – where SNAP benefits are stolen off EBT cards after skimming at a point-of-sale machine.
Ready To Stay Launches New National Resource Hub to Protect Immigrant Communities, Support Organization
Ready to Stay, co-chaired by the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), and UnidosUS, is a national coalition of organizations increasing legal capacities and coordination efforts for large-scale community protection and rapid response efforts ahead of anticipated increased enforcement efforts.
Video: Pennsylvania Crime Victim's Legal Standing
This video from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency provides information about your rights and legal standing in the justice process as a survivor of crime.
Prepare Now for Winter Storms – PUC Shares #UtilitySafety Tips
With Pennsylvania bracing for the first significant winter storm of 2025 – bringing a mix of snow, ice, high winds, and unseasonably cold temperatures – the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) reminds residents to prepare for potential storm-related power outages and take steps to stay safe during severe weather.
Attorney General Henry Warns of Phishing Scammers who may Contact you about ‘Fraudulent’ Activity to Steal Personal Information
Attorney General Michelle Henry is alerting Pennsylvanians about a phishing scam involving contact with targets about claims of fraudulent activity on the target’s banking account in order to access personal data and information.
Public Utilities and DHS Partner to Simplify Access to Public Utility Assistance for Families in Need
Consumers receiving Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grants will now have the option to have the Department of Human Services (DHS) share their application information with their energy public utilities who will then assist with eligibility determinations and enrollment, making a direct connection and streamlining access to other public utility programs that can reduce monthly bills and enhance energy savings.
Important Update about Extra Help: Medicare Enrollees Could Lose Financial Assistance for Drug Costs if They Do Not Act
Medicare Extra Help recipients receiving a notice that the assistance is ending must re-enroll with SSA, or reestablish Medicaid eligibility, to continue to receive financial assistance with their Medicare drug costs.
Shapiro Administration Reminds Pennsylvanians to Be Aware of EBT Card Skimming Devices, Reminds Public that Stolen SNAP Benefits Can Be Replaced
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh is reminding Pennsylvanians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to protect their EBT cards and personal information to avoid becoming a victim of skimming, which is the act of applying a device to a point-of-sale (POS) machine or an ATM in an effort to read a card’s magnetic strip, gather its data, and create a cloned card.
PUC Encourages Former Affordable Connectivity Program Customers to Seek Other Assistance Options to Access the Internet
In light of the recent ending of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) due to a lack of federal funding, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today encourages Pennsylvanians to research other assistance options, in addition to reaching out to their internet service providers.
Consumer Advisory: Opportunity to cancel student loan debt ends soon
Many student loan borrowers have an opportunity to have their entire student loans cancelled or receive more credit towards cancellation, but they must act before April 30, 2024.
Free Property Tax/Rent Rebate Filing Assistance Available At Community Centers Across PA
Representatives from the Department of Revenue (DOR) will visit senior and community centers all across the Commonwealth over the next several weeks to help Pennsylvanians who need help filing their Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program applications.
Public Hearings Scheduled on Proposed Peoples Gas $156 Million Rate Increases
Peoples Gas has proposed to raise rates for its customers by approximately $156 million. The proposal could increase consumer bills by as much as 21%. The Public Utility Commission (PUC) is hosting six public input hearings to hear from communities about the impact this rate increase will have on Peoples’ customers. If you or your community will be affected by the rate proposal, you are strongly encouraged to participate in the public input hearings.
Clean Slate 3.0 Enacted into Law - Allows Sealing of Some Old Felony Criminal Records
Clean Slate 3.0 was signed into law on December 14, 2023 by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Under Clean Slate 3.0, less serious drug felonies will be eligible to be sealed by automation after 10 years without a subsequent misdemeanor or felony conviction. Other property-related felonies, such as thefts, will be eligible for sealing after 10 years upon granting of a court petition. It will also shorten waiting periods for sealing convictions of misdemeanor to 7 years and summary convictions to five years.