Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Program Description
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists eligible low-income households with their heating and cooling energy costs, and, if the state chooses, to weatherize homes.General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must need financial assistance for home energy costs.A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or certain needs-tested Veterans benefits may be automatically eligible.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Medicaid Program
Program Description
The Medicaid Program provides medical benefits to low-income people who have no medical insurance or have inadequate medical insurance. The Federal government establishes general guidelines for the administration of Medicaid benefits. However, specific eligibility requirements to receive Medicaid benefits, as well as the type and scope of services provided, are determined by each individual state. Thus, a person who is eligible for Medicaid in one state may not qualify in another state. You must check with the Medicaid office in the state you live in to confirm your eligibility to receive benefits.Medicaid is a joint Federal/state program administered by each individual state. Each state develops its own rules related to eligibility and coverage within broad Federal guidelines.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a U.S. national, citizen or permanent resident in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be either pregnant, have a child(ren) with a disability, or be responsible for children under 19 years of age.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Pennsylvania Children's Health Insurance Program
Program Description
The Pennsylvania Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a partnership between Pennsylvania and the Federal Government that provides health coverage to uninsured children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private coverage.General guidelines for administering CHIP are established by the Federal government. However, specific eligibility requirements and scope of services is determined by the state. The program is geared to help working families obtain care they could not otherwise afford.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Pennsylvania, under 19 years of age or pregnant, not covered by health insurance (including Medicaid), and a U.S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident.Depending on your income level, you may have to pay a premium for coverage. Please see this state's program information for details.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Pennsylvania Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Program Description
The Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low income people pay their heating bills through energy assistance grants. People need not have an unpaid bill to receive energy assistance. People can receive this money without being on welfare. No lien is placed on the person's property if they receive this help. Additional money is available to individuals if they are in an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing their heat. Emergency situations include:- Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced
- Lack of fuel
- Termination of utility service
- Danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Pennsylvania, you must need financial assistance for home energy costs and your household's annual income before taxes must not exceed $16,245 if one person lives in the household; $21,855 if two people live in the household; $27,465 if three people live in the household; $33,075 if four people live in the household; $38,685 if five people live in the household; $44,295 if six people live in the household; $49,905 if seven people live in the household; $55,515 if eight people live in the household; and $61,125 if more than eight people live in the household. For larger households, add $5,610 for each additional person in the home.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Pennsylvania Medicaid Program
Program Description
Medicaid provides payment for health care services on behalf of eligible low-income persons and individuals with limited income and high medical expenses. Payments are made directly to the health care providers. In some cases, persons may qualify for payment of medical services that were provided up to three months before the month in which a Medicaid application was completed.General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Pennsylvania, a U.S. national, citizen or permanent resident in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income . If very low income, you must also be pregnant, have a child(ren) with a disability, or be responsible for children under the age of 19 years.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Pennsylvania Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Program Description
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides money for dependent children and their parents or other relatives with whom they live, and for pregnant women. The Federal government and Pennsylvania fund TANF payments.General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Pennsylvania, either pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age, a U.S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident, have low or very low income, and be either under-employed (working for very low wages), unemployed or about to become unemployed.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Pennsylvania Unemployment Insurance
Program Description
Unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own that meet Pennsylvania's eligibility requirements.General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must have worked in Pennsylvania during the past 12 to 18 months, or worked in two different states and be located in Pennsylvania when you file your application for benefits, and have earned at least a minimum amount of wages as determined by our guidelines. You must also be able to work and be available for work each week that you are collecting benefits.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Pennsylvania Weatherization Assistance Program
Program Description
The mission of the Pennsylvania Weatherization Assistance Program is to reduce energy consumption and cost in low-income households throughout Pennsylvania. It is designed to insulate the homes of low-income persons, particularly the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, and high residential energy users, in order to conserve needed energy and to aid those persons least able to afford higher utility costs.General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Pennsylvania.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.State Children's Health Insurance Program
Program Description
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a partnership between the Federal and State Governments that provides health coverage to uninsured children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private coverage. All states provide immunizations and well baby/well child care at no cost and may cover much more. The Federal government establishes general guidelines for the administration of SCHIP benefits. However, specific eligibility requirements to receive SCHIP benefits, as well as the type and scope of services provided, are determined by each individual State. You must check with the SCHIP office in the state you live in to confirm your family's eligibility to receive benefits. Important: Names for this program vary by state. If you are not sure which office to contact, contact the main Medicaid Hotline in your state and ask for the office that deals with children's health insurance.General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be under 19 years of age, not covered by health insurance (including Medicaid), a US national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident, and you must have an annual household income before taxes of less than $29,431 if two people live in the household; $36,986 if three people live in the household; $44,541 if four people live in the household; $52,096 if five people live in the household; $59,651 if six people live in the household; $67,205 if seven people live in the household; $74,760 if eight people live in the household; and $82,315 if more than eight people live in the household. Depending on your income level, you may have to pay a premium for coverage. Please see this state's program information for details. Application packets are available at your local county health departments and may also be obtained in your community at many doctors' offices, hospitals, social service agencies, schools, and pharmacies.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Program Description
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides grant funds to States and Territories to assist families in any manner that is reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes of this program. The purposes are: assisting needy families to care for their children in their own homes; reducing dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be either pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age. Also the applicant must be an U.S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident; have low or very low income; and be under-employed (working for very low wages), unemployed or about to become unemployed.
Each State and Territory decides the benefits it will provide. Each State and Territory also establishes the specific eligibility criteria that must be met to receive financial assistance payments or other types of benefits and services. Thus, you must check with the TANF agency in the area that you reside to learn whether you are eligible to receive financial assistance or other TANF benefits and services.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Program Description
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is a Federal agency within the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that administers the nation's immigration laws relating to immigration benefits and services. USCIS regulates permanent and temporary immigration to the United States. This includes legal permanent residence status, non-immigrant status (e.g., tourists or students), and naturalization.General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you may be a U.S. national, citizen or permanent resident, or an immigrant or an intending immigrant.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Unemployment Insurance
Program Description
In general, the Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own (as determined under state law including District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico), and meet other eligibility requirements of state law.Unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and who meet eligibility requirements established by state laws. Each state, including the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico has unemployment insurance programs.
In the majority of states, benefit funding is based solely on a tax imposed on employers.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must have worked during a specified period, usually in the past 12 to 18 months, and earned a minimum amount of wages as set by each state. You must also be determined to be unemployed through no fault of your own and meet other state eligibility requirements determined under state law.To determine your eligibility for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits you should contact the state unemployment insurance agency in the state where you are located as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. In some states, you can now file a claim by telephone and the Internet.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons
Program Description
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Funds are used to improve the energy performance of dwellings families in need using the most advanced technologies and testing procedures available in the housing industry. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provides funding to states, U.S. overseas territories, and Indian tribal governments, which manage the administration of the program. These governments, in turn, fund a network of local community action agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local governments that provide these weatherization services in every state, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and among Native American tribes.General Program Requirements
As many as 20 to 30 million U.S. families are eligible for weatherization services nationwide. Services are provided by the states, and each state has slightly different criteria. All energy services are handled by local weatherization agencies.If you receive Supplemental Security Income or Aid to Families with Dependent Children, you are automatically eligible to receive weatherization services. In other cases, states give preference to:
- People over 60 years of age
- Families with one or more members with a disability
- Families with children (in most states)
