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Resources for Pennsylvanians Facing Unemployment

The Wolf Administration and the public servants of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are committed to providing you with ongoing information and will continue doing everything we can to support the needs of all Pennsylvanians.

Unemployment Compensation
Unemployment Compensation (UC) is one of many benefits that may be available to you during this challenging and unprecedented time. This webpage will guide you to more resources that may assist you and your family in your search for employment, health care, social services, food, utilities, housing, child care, debt, and child care resources.

To learn more about all of the available unemployment compensation programs, weekly benefit rates, and the eligibility criteria for each, visit www.uc.pa.gov.

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If your employer remains in operation but you cannot work due to COVID-19, you may wish to use paid leave rather than filing for UC.

You cannot collect both paid leave and UC at the same time. However, you can file a claim for UC benefits if you know you will exhaust all of your paid leave. Remember: you must report all income received from any source, including paid leave, paid sick, paid time off, paid vacation, and paid comp time.

Check with your employer to see if the following benefits are available to you:

Paid sick time
Paid time off
Paid vacation time
Short-term disability insurance
Any additional resources

Workers' Compensation (WC) Benefits
If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19 in your workplace, you may be eligible for Workers' Compensation (WC) by either:

Notifying your employer to file a typical "disease-as-injury" WC claim, which requires you to provide medical evidence that you were exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace
Notifying your employer to file an "occupational disease" WC claim, which requires you to show that COVID-19 is occurring more in your occupation/industry than in the general population

To learn more about the WC process, please visit www.dli.pa.gov.

Unpaid Wage Claims
If you have been laid off and have not received your last paycheck or compensation you are owed, payment to you is required by state law. If your regular payday has passed without payment, contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of Labor Law Compliance by calling 1-800-932-0665. You can learn more and submit a claim by visiting the wage payment page on www.dli.pa.gov.

U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)
SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer assistance for a small business. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing during the pandemic.

SBA provides assistance to the hardest-hit small businesses, nonprofits, and venues that are struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. SBA provides funding for forgivable loans through the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses and nonprofits experiencing significant revenue losses, fund grants to shuttered venues, and other lending programs. This critical assistance provides small business owners with the capital they need to survive the pandemic and includes critical resources for the smallest businesses.

For additional information, contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center by calling 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339), e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or referencing FAQs.

Health Insurance Assistance

You should speak with your previous employer to ask if you will still be covered by your employer's benefits and, if so, for how long. Some employers may consider employees collecting UC to be in "unpaid with benefits" status, and those individuals may be able to maintain their health insurance coverage through their previous employer.

If you are no longer receiving health insurance through your employer, you may be eligible to enroll in COBRA to continue your current health coverage, or you may purchase health insurance through Pennie, Pennsylvania's state-based health insurance marketplace. At Pennie, Pennsylvanians can shop, compare, and enroll in quality health insurance plans. If you recently lost coverage, you can apply and enroll in coverage through Pennie using a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) throughout the year. Otherwise, the next Open Enrollment Period to enroll in coverage for 2023 begins November 1, 2022 and ends January 15, 2023. We encourage uninsured Pennsylvanians to visit pennie.com to explore their options and get covered. For more information about Pennie and how to enroll, you can call 1-844-844-8040.

For additional health insurance information, visit the Pennsylvania Insurance Department's Health Insurance Options page or call 1-877-881-6388. If you believe you are eligible for Medicaid, you can also use COMPASS to sign up for Medical Assistance. COMPASS is an online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human service programs like Medicaid and CHIP. Visit COMPASS at www.compass.state.pa.us.

You should act quickly if you do not have health insurance. For many plans, you must enroll within 60 days of a "qualifying event," which may be either your separation from your employer or the last day on which your previous employer covered you under their insurance plan.

PA MEDI (Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight)

Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI) offers free Medicare counseling to older Pennsylvanians. PA MEDI Counselors are specially trained to answer questions and provide objective, easy-to-understand information about Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicaid, and Long-Term Care Insurance. 

PA MEDI Counselors do not sell Medicare products but rather offer current, unbiased Medicare education to help you make the most informed choice about the Medicare options available to you.

To get started, contact the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) serving your local area using the AAA Locator or the PA MEDI Helpline is also available at 1-800-783-7067 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Prescription Assistance - PACE & PACENET Programs

Pennsylvania's prescription assistance programs for older adults, PACE and PACENET, offer low-cost prescription medication to qualified residents, age 65 and older. For more information, call 1-800-225-7223 or to download an application or to apply online, visit PACECares.

Eligibility Requirements:

PACE

You must be 65 years of age or older.
A Pennsylvania resident for at least 90 days prior to the date of application.
You cannot be enrolled in the Department of Human Service's Medicaid prescription benefit.
For a single person, total income must be $14,500 or less.
For a married couple, combined total income must be $17,700 or less.

PACENET

You must be 65 years of age or older.
A Pennsylvania resident for at least 90 days prior to the date of application.
You cannot be enrolled in the Department of Human Service's Medicaid prescription benefit.
PACENET income limits are slightly higher than those for PACE
For a single person, total income can be between $14,500 and $33,500
For a married couple, combined total income can be between $17,700 and $41,500

Pharmacies Offering Free Medication Delivery for All Older Adults

Local pharmacies across Pennsylvania are now offering free delivery for all older adults. When requesting your medication to be filled or refilled, simply ask your pharmacy provider for free home delivery.

SNAP Benefits (formerly known as Food Stamps)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps Pennsylvanians buy food. People who are eligible for SNAP receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) ACCESS Card to make food purchases. Some stores in Pennsylvania now accept the ACCESS Card to purchase groceries online. A list of stores accepting online purchases can be found on the SNAP Online Purchasing Program Pilot webpage.

Experiencing a food emergency and need food right away? Help is available. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services' website, or by calling the Department of Human Services' Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930. People who live in Philadelphia should call the Philadelphia Customer Service Center at 215-560-7226.

2-1-1 United Way of Pennsylvania Food Assistance

The United Way offers a variety of resources via 2-1-1. Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to #898-211 to talk with a resource specialist, or visit www.uwp.org/211gethelp/ to browse resources in your community.

PA Food Banks and Pantries

The following Feeding Pennsylvania and Hunger-Free Pennsylvania member food banks are working on the frontlines with hundreds of food pantries and other local agencies to offer food assistance services in each county. Please contact them directly for assistance. For an interactive map of food pantries, visit the Department of Human Services website. For additional food assistance resources, visit the Department of Agriculture's website at www.agriculture.pa.gov/foodsecurity.

Alliance for Nonprofit Resources Inc. (serving Butler County)
Bucks County Opportunity Council Inc. (serving Bucks County)
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (serving Adams, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union and York counties)
Chester County Food Bank (serving Chester County)
Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County (serving Mercer County)
Fayette County Community Action Food Bank (serving Fayette County)
Food for Families (serving Cambria County)
Food Helpers (serving Washington County)
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (serving Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, and Washington counties)
Helping Harvest (serving Berks and Schuylkill counties)
Indiana County Community Action Program (serving Indiana County)
Philabundance (serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties)
Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania (serving Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, and Wayne counties)
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania (serving Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Venango, and Warren counties)
Share Food Program (serving Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties)
Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank (serving Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties)
Westmoreland County Food Bank (serving Westmoreland County)
York County Food Bank (serving York County)

Low-income, eligible seniors can receive a box of nutritious food monthly from local distribution sites through the Senior Food Box Program. Among the types of foods included in the food boxes are shelf-stable milk, juice, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, dry beans, peanut butter, canned meat, poultry, or fish, and canned fruits and vegetables. To learn more about the program and to apply, please visit the PA Department of Agriculture.

Senior Food Box Program

Pennsylvania Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

This program provides low-income older adults with checks to buy fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Pennsylvania.

The age requirement is 60 years or older, and the senior must meet income eligibility guidelines.
Each eligible senior receives four $6.00 checks for a total benefit of $24.00 one-time during the program year. 
Checks are distributed annually between June 1 and September 30. The last day for redemption is November 30.
For more information or to locate participating markets, please visit the PA Department of Agriculture.

Meals for Older Adults

For information about meal programs for older adults, please visit the Department of Aging's website, or for specific information regarding your area, please contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA).

If you are struggling to pay your utility bills, contact your utility service provider right away. You are encouraged to do this before your bill becomes past due. Many utility service providers offer assistance programs.

Ask your utility whether they offer a customer assistance program (CAP), especially if there have been recent changes in your household size or income. CAPs can provide reduced monthly bills and/or debt forgiveness. Even if you did not qualify for CAP in the past, you may now be eligible.
If you are a utility customer on a CAP and you experienced further reductions in household income, check with your utilities to determine whether you qualify for additional assistance or more favorable payment options.
Discuss your financial situation with your utilities before bills become delinquent to explore other possible options – this could include extended payment plans, budget billing, utility hardship fund grants and/or assistance through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), and the federal Lifeline program (telecommunications and broadband access funding support to eligible low-income individuals or households).

For information from the federal government regarding help that may be available, please visit http://www.usa.gov/help-with-bills or call 1-844-USA-GOV1 (1-844-872-4681).

2-1-1 United Way of Pennsylvania Utility Assistance

Pennsylvania's Weatherization Assistance Program
Pennsylvania's Weatherization Assistance Program increases energy efficiency in homes by reducing energy costs and increasing comfort while safeguarding health and safety. On site energy audits are conducted to assess conditions in homes and to identify the most cost-effective energy-saving measures to be installed. Weatherization services include but are not limited to:

Blower door guided air sealing to effectively locate and reduce air leakage throughout the home
Installation of attic, wall, basement, and crawlspace insulation and ventilation to reduce energy loss
Heating system modification or replacement to increase the efficiency and/or safety of the heating system
Minor repairs, and/or health and safety measures are provided (when necessary) to allow the safe and effective installation of the weatherization measures
Client education on the proper use and maintenance of the installed Weatherization measures and ways to reduce energy waste every day

To find out more information about which agencies offer weatherization services in your county, please visit the PA Department of Community & Economic Development website.

Program inquiries should be directed to:

PA Department of Community and Economic Development Center for Community Services Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, 4th Floor Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225.

Phone: 717-425-7643

Email: ra-wxmail@pa.gov

If you are unable to make your rent payment, contact your landlord immediately and try to work out an agreement.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

ERAP provides tenant households assistance with rent, rent arrears, utility and home energy cost, utility and home energy cost arrears and housing stability services. Tenants can apply for themselves or a landlord/utility provider can apply on behalf of the current tenant(s).

A household must be obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling and

One or more individuals within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 outbreak.
One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
The household has a household income at or below 80% of area median income.

To search for housing visit: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/ERAP/Pages/ERAP.aspx

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

Pennsylvania has a variety of housing programs and services that can help older adults and people with disabilities, individuals and families with low incomes, or those who are at-risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency's housing search tool helps people search for housing by topics such as rent amount, area of interest, accessibility, or availability of public transportation. A bi-lingual, toll-free number is also available.

To search for housing visit www.pahousingsearch.com or call Toll-Free: 1-877-428-8844.

HUD Resources

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development can offer rental assistance and counseling. Visit www.hud.gov to learn more or contact a housing counseling agency toll-free by calling 1-800-569-4287.

2-1-1 United Way of Pennsylvania Housing Assistance

The United Way offers a variety of resources via 2-1-1. Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to #898-211 to talk with a resource specialist or visit www.uwp.org/211gethelp/ to browse resources in your community.

Other Community Resources – Community Action Agencies
The Pennsylvania Community Action network analyzes community needs to identify strategies that will work best in alleviating poverty. Community Action's ultimate goal is to help low-income individuals and their families reach and maintain self-sufficiency. Each of the 42 agencies is unique in their approach to alleviating poverty because their programs and services reflect the needs of the local communities.
PA Community Action Agencies

Contact : 717-233-1075

SHARE - Shared Housing and Resource Exchange

Shared Housing and Resource Exchange (SHARE) is an affordable housing choice that brings together homeowners who want to share their home with home seekers who are looking for housing in exchange for rent, help around the house, or a combination of both. The program is currently available in Pike, Wayne, Monroe, Venango, Crawford, Adams, Union, Snyder and Carbon counties.

Learn more about the SHARE program, homeowner/participant eligibility and the application process.

Domiciliary Care

The Domiciliary Care program provides a homelike living arrangement in the community for adults age 18 and older who need assistance with activities of daily living and who are unable to live independently. Dom Care providers open up their homes to individuals who need supervision, support, and encouragement in a family-like setting.

Dom Care residents are matched to homes that best meet their special needs, preferences, and interests. Unlike larger personal care homes, Dom Care homes are the individual providers' homes. They are certified annually to ensure they meet health and safety standards.

Benefits and Rights for Older Pennsylvanians

This booklet provides information about aging services available across the commonwealth, which can be accessed here.

Help at Home (OPTIONS Program)

Help at Home, which is more commonly referred to as the OPTIONS program, provides assistance to Pennsylvania residents, age 60 and older who would like to stay in their home.

The program offers 4 fundamental services: 

Adult Day Services - offers supervised, interactive care for older adults with functional impairments or Parkinson's, dementia and related disorders.
Care Management - ongoing care plan management to ensure the individual's needs are being met

In-Home Meals - delivered in-home meals.
Personal Care Services - assistance with daily living activities.

Supplemental services may also be available based on the local area agency on aging. There are no income requirements to participate in the program. However, depending on an individual's income, they may be required to contribute towards the cost of their services based on a sliding co-payment scale.

For more information or to apply for in-home services use the Area Agency on Aging Locator and contact the AAA serving your local county.

Caregiver Support Program

The Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program provides resources and assistance to individuals who assume the primary responsibility for the provision of care to encourage a healthy, ongoing relationship with their care receiver. The program aims to alleviate the stresses associated with caregiving by focusing on the well-being of the caregiver, providing access to respite care, addressing the need for formal and informal supports, and providing financial reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs associated with caregiving-related services and supplies. 

Each caregiver is assigned a care manager who will come to the care receivers' home, conduct a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the caregiver, provide support, and work with them to develop a person-centered plan of care.

Services available through the Caregiver Support Program include: 

Care Management
Benefits Counseling
Caregiver Education and Training
Reimbursement for ongoing expenses for caregiving-related services or supplies, such as:
Respite Care
Consumable Supplies
Supportive Services
Supplemental Services
Home Modifications
Assistive Devices
Services specific to grandparents/older relative caregivers (55+)

For more information on or to apply for the Caregiver Support Program use the Area Agency on Aging Locator to find the AAA serving your local county.

Senior Community Service Employment Program

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is an on-the-job training program for low-income, Pennsylvania residents age 55 and older. Program participants gain work experience at nonprofit and public facilities, including schools, hospitals, daycare centers, and senior centers which then serves as a bridge to outside employment opportunities.

To find out more about the Senior Community Services Employment Program in your area, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.

Legal Assistance

The Older Pennsylvanians Legal Assistance Program provides access to free legal services for older adults including counsel, advice, and representation in a case. The program is open to Pennsylvania residents age 60 and older with a specific focus on older adults with the greatest economic and/or social needs. The program can help with legal matters relating to:

Abuse
Age discrimination
Guardianship defense
Healthcare
Housing
Long-Term care
Medicaid
Medicare
Nutrition
Social Security & SSI 
Utilities

To get started and find out more about the Older Pennsylvanians Legal Assistance Program and the services that best meet your needs contact us by:

Your Local Area Agency on Aging
Locate the AAA serving your local area using the Area Agency on Aging Locator.

Phone
Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Aging at 717-783-1550.

Email
Contact the Legal Assistance Developer at PaLAD@pa.gov

If you have seen a reduction in pay due to COVID-19 and are struggling to make your credit card or loan payments, contact your lender right away. Explain your situation and ask about hardship programs that may be available. Regulatory agencies have encouraged financial institutions to work with customers impacted by the coronavirus.

Trouble Paying Credit Cards

Credit card companies and lenders may be able to offer you a number of options to help you. This could include waiving certain fees like ATM, overpayments, and late fees, as well as allowing you to delay, adjust, or skip some payments.

For more information regarding credit cards, mortgages, and more, please visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

A credit counselor may be able to assist you with your debt. Find one near you by contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) or calling 1-800-388-2227.

Trouble Paying your Mortgage or Rent

If you can't cover your mortgage payment or rent, contact your lender or landlord immediately. Do not wait until you're behind on payments. Some lenders may work out an agreement with you to waive late fees, set up a repayment plan, or offer loan forbearance.

For mortgage information, visit www.consumerfinance.gov. Find a housing counselor near you by visiting www.hud.gov.

For rental assistance, visit www.hud.gov.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) was created to help renters dealing with financial challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For eligible households, the program offers rental and utility assistance to help renters and landlords avoid eviction or loss of utility service. Find more information and begin the application process today.

Student Loans Deferment

If you are in a short-term financial bind, you may qualify for a deferment or a forbearance. With either of these options, you can temporarily suspend your payments. Visit the Federal Student Aid Office website for further guidance and contact your loan servicer to learn more about your options.

Private student loans and some federal student loans may be excluded from the CARES Act payment freeze. The Attorney General's office has partnered with Summer, a social enterprise that assists student loan borrowers, to provide free student loan assistance to simplify and save on your student debt.

Pennsylvania residents can now access Summer's digital platform and its student loan experts free of charge to receive customized loan savings recommendations at meetsummer.org/pa.

Short Term and Emergency Loans

Consider your options before taking out a high-cost short-term loan. Talk with your creditors to negotiate more time to pay bills, borrow from friends or family, or explore low-interest loans offered by local banks and credit unions.

If you do take out a short-term loan, make sure the lender is licensed with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities and borrow only what you can afford to pay back. Find out more at www.dobs.pa.gov, or by calling 1-800-PA-BANKS.

Resources for Pennsylvanians Facing Unemployment

Paid Leave Options for Employees

Starting a Business

Search for Employment

Maintaining Health Insurance Coverage

COVID-19 Vaccines

Public Assistance Programs

Resources for Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Housing Resources

Child Care Resources

Additional Resources for Older Adults

Assistance Paying a Debt

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Assistance

Public Transportation

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