> > Michael Lofton Human Services Program Specialist (412)

> > OFFICE OF INCOME MAINTENANACE WHAT DOES OIM DO? ADMINISTER SERVICES THAT PROVIDE CARE AND SUPPORT TO PENNSYLVANIA’S MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS SERVES LOW - INCOME PENNSYLVANIANS

> > ALLEGHENY COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE WHAT CAO’S DO? DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS EVALUATE ONGOING ELIGIBILITY AT PERIODIC INTERVALS AND WHEN CHANGES OCCUR WITHIN A HOUSEHOLD

> > COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE PROGRAM OVERVIEW COMPASS SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) LOW-INCOME HEATING ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)

> > COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE PROGRAM OVERVIEW CHIP CHILDCARE WORKS FREE LUNCH

> > HOW TO APPLY COMPASS- MAIL LOCAL COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE

> > CONTACT US COMPASS- STATEWIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER (SWCSC) LOCAL COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE ACAO DIVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE

> > APPLICATION PROCESSING 30 DAY DETERMINATION INTERVIEWS CASH ASSISTANCE- FACE TO FACE SNAP- TELEPHONE MEDICAL, LIHEAP, LTC - MAIL ELIGIBILITY NOTICES MAILED APPEAL PROCESS COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE

> > SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

> > SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM USED TO BUY UNPREPARED FOODS AND HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES OBTAIN MORE NUTRITIOUS DIETS PURCHASES MADE USING A PA EBT CARD CHILDREN RECEIVING SNAP ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FREE OR REDUCED COST SCHOOL LUNCHES SNAP

> > EXPEDITED FOOD STAMPS INTERVIEW AND ISSUANCE WITHIN 5 CALENDAR DAYS FROM APPLICATION IF ELIGIBLE ONE TIME ISSUANCE WITHOUT VERIFICATIONS VERIFICATIONS NEEDED FOR ONGOING ELIGIBILITY SNAP

> > HOUSEHOLDS A PERSON LIVING ALONE WHO BUYS FOOD AND PREPARES MEALS A GROUP OF PERSONS WHO LIVE TOGETHER AND BUY FOOD AND PREPARE MEALS TOGETHER SNAP

> > REQUIREMENTS ID CITIZENSHIP- 5 YEAR BAR FOR LEGAL IMMIGRANTS INCOME RESOURCES SNAP

> > INCOME EARNED AND UNEARNED EARNED INCOME DEDUCTIONS GROSS AND NET LIMITS ELDERLY/DISABLED HOUSEHOLDS- 200% FPL NOT ELDERLY/DISABLED- 160% FPL HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES DEDUCTION SNAP

> > RESOURCES COUNTED (LIQUID)- CASH ON HAND, LUMP SUMS, BANK ACCOUNTS, STOCKS, BONDS, SAVINGS CERTIFICATES, NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, VEHICLES, ETC. EXCLUDED- RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, PERSONAL EFFECTS, BURIAL PLOTS, ONE VEHICLE, INCOME-PRODUCING PROPERTY, INACCESSIBLE RESOURCES, ETC. SNAP

> > CERTIFICATION PERIODS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTING (SAR) TWELVE-MONTH CERTIFICATION for HOUSEHOLDS WITH EARNED OR UNEARNED INCOME SIX-MONTH CERTIFICATION for ZERO INCOME HOUSEHOLDS REDETERMINATION WHEN A CHANGE OCCURS IN THE HOUSEHOLD SNAP

> > LOW - INCOME HEATING ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)

> > PURPOSE FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT HELPS LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS PAY THEIR HEATING BILL PROGRAM GUIDELINES PUBLISHED ANNUALLY IN THE LIHEAP STATE PLAN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA OPENING AND CLOSING DATES FUNDING LEVELS LIHEAP

> > HOW TO APPLY COMPASS PAPER APPLICATION MAIL LOCAL CAO LIHEAP

> > REQUIREMENTS PERMANENT PA RESIDENTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR HOME HEATING COSTS CITIZENS AND QUALIFIED NONCITIZENS MEET ANNUAL INCOME LIMITS BASED ON HOUSEHOLD SIZE LIHEAP

> > PROGRAM COMPONENTS CASH CRISIS WEATHERIZATION LIHEAP

> > CASH COMPONENT ONE CASH BENEFIT PER SEASON PER HOUSEHOLD GRANT AMOUNT BASED ON HOUSEHOLD SIZE, HOUSEHOLD INCOME, HEATING REGION AND PRIMARY FUEL TYPE LIHEAP

> > CASH COMPONENT PAID TO PRIMARY OR SECONDARY UTILITY COMPANY OR AS A DIRECT PAY TO THE APPLICANT SUBSIDIZED HOUSING RECIPIENTS NOT ELIGIBLE IF HEAT IS INCLUDED IN RENT AND RENT IS BASED ON A FIXED PERCENTAGE OF THEIR INCOME LIHEAP

> > CRISIS COMPONENT HOUSEHOLDS MAY RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE CRISIS BENEFIT IN A PROGRAM YEAR (UP TO MAX AMOUNT) HOUSEHOLDS MAY QUALIFY REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY APPLY FOR OR RECEIVE LIHEAP CASH MUST MEET GENERAL LIHEAP ELIGIBILITY LIHEAP

> > CRISIS COMPONENT WITHOUT HEAT OR IN IMMINENT DANGER OF BEING WITHOUT HEAT GRANT AMOUNT BASED ON ACTUAL AMOUNT NEEDED TO RESOLVE THE EMERGENCY CRISIS BENEFIT MUST RESOLVE THE EMERGENCY LIHEAP

> > WEATHERIZATION COMPONENT GOAL TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND IMPACT OF HIGH FUEL COSTS ON LOW-INCOME FAMILIES INCOME ELIGIBILITY BASED ON ANNUAL LIHEAP STATE PLAN AIR-SEALING, HOT WATER CONSERVATION, INSULATION, HEATING SYSTEM MODIFICATIONS CRISIS INTERFACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, BROKEN WINDOWS, PIPE-THAWING, ETC LIHEAP

> > Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

> > FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the CHIP program? Pennsylvania’s program to provide health insurance to uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance. How Do I Apply? Applying for CHIP is easy. You can apply online or by mail in the privacy of your own home.

> > What Information Do I Need to Apply? You will need to know all income received by your household, any private health insurance information for members of your household, and social security numbers for the children who need health insurance. You should also include Social Security numbers for the head of household with your application, so that we can send you and the federal government the appropriate documentation that your children have minimal essential coverage and will not face a tax penalty

> > How do I know if my child qualifies? Regardless of family size and income, your child or teen may be eligible if he or she meets the following requirements: Under 19 years of age A U.S. Citizen, U.S. National or Qualified Alien A resident of Pennsylvania Uninsured and not eligible for Medical Assistance

> > I thought CHIP was only for low-income families? This is simply not true. CHIP has expanded its coverage to all uninsured kids and teens up to age 19 who are not eligible for Medical Assistance. What's the cost for CHIP coverage? Many families can qualify for free coverage. For those families with incomes above the free CHIP limits there are reduced and full cost coverages that allow families to pay low monthly premiums and low co-payments for most services.

> > Child Care Works Subsidized Child Care Program

> > FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the ChildCare Works program? Help parents or guardians of children from birth through 12 years old pay for child care services for County residents by Child Care Information Services, Inc. (CCIS) through funds from Pennsylvania's Office of Child Development and Early Learning. CCIS helps families to find child care, determines the families’ eligibility for a child care subsidy, and provides payments to the child care providers.

> > How Do I Apply? The following information may be requested depending on your situation:  a form signed by your employer, listing hire date, hours of work each week, hourly rate of pay, how often you are paid, and your specific schedule of work each week  4 weeks of pay stubs or pay verification  verification of child support

> >  verification of unearned income, such as SSI, unemployment, or public assistance  verification of enrollment in school / training  verification of support paid out for children not living in the family  records of ongoing medical expenses, if medical bills are unusually high

> > To apply, your total family income must be less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. The following chart shows the maximum income allowed by family size: Family Size Yearly Gross Income 1$23,760 2$32,040 3$40,320 4$48,600 5$56,880 6$65, Federal Poverty Guidelines

> > How long is the waiting list for subsidized child care? Waiting list times vary and usually are 2 to 4 months possibly longer. How much will I have to pay when I get subsidized child care? A family’s weekly copayment (fee) for child care is based on the family’s total gross income (before taxes and deduction are taken out) and number of people in the family. Pennsylvania uses a scale called the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines to determine who is eligible and how much a family should pay

> > Copayments: The copayment is for the family, no matter how many children are in child care. Sometimes if the family’s copayment is high, such as $50 or more, it will be split between the children who are receiving subsidy, but it is still a family copayment When a family begins receiving subsidy, the parents must pay their copayment to the child care program every week. Not paying your copayment on time may mean that you lose your subsidy or that your provider will not provide care.

> > Free Lunch

> > WHO CAN GET FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEALS? All children in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly Food Stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits are eligible for free meals. Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.

> > WHO CAN GET FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEALS? Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals. Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.

> > WHO CAN GET FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEALS? Children may receive free or reduced price meals if your household’s income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

> >  COMPASS-  STATEWIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER  LOCAL COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE  ACAO DIVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT US

> > ANY QUESTIONS