United Way Shaped PA Communities in 2019
Local United Ways in Pennsylvania invested over $43M to solve the most critical problems in our communities in 2019. Read on to learn how United Ways and their community partners created positive change around childhood and youth success, economic mobility, and access to health. Find your local United Way to learn more about our impact…
SNAP Payments to Arrive Early this December
SNAP recipients may receive their benefits earlier than anticipated this month, and in one payment as opposed to two issuances. All December SNAP benefits will be available on EBT cards by December 11, 2020. This schedule change is to avoid any potential delay in the case of a federal government shutdown. Read more.
IRS Taxpayer Relief Options Expanded Due to COVID-19
The IRS is expanding its Taxpayer Relief Program to aid those people economically affected by the pandemic. This includes an extension of short-term repayment plans, flexibility on installment plans, and reducing the burden of proof for qualification. Learn more about how to take advantage of these relief options.
Get Connected to Winter Resources with PA 211
The cold weather is fast upon us, so if you need help with heating bills, winter clothes, holiday meals, and more, contact 211. Check out 211’s Winter Resources, or dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 if you would like a resource navigator to assist you for free.
Open Enrollment for ACA and Medicare
ACA Coverage for 2021: Do you need to sign up for health insurance through the ACA? Open enrollment opened on Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 15. Just go to PA’s new marketplace website to compare plans or sign up: https://pennie.com/. Medicare for 2021: Sign up or switch your Medicare health or drug plan – open enrollment…
UWP Launches ALICE in Your District Tool
ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) lives in every community in Pennsylvania. They are our neighbors, co-workers, and people providing essential services every day. In order to illustrate the ubiquity of ALICE, we have created the ALICE In Your District tool on uwp.org. This tool allows the public, legislators, local United Ways, and community partners…
PA Reports 99.9% Census Enumeration
The State of Pennsylvania is reporting that 99.9% of the residents have been counted for the 2020 Census. 69.6% of the population counted themselves via self-response, the other 30.3% were counted via enumeration. For self-response rates, Bucks County had the highest with 79.5% counted that way. In Forest county, only 26.8% were able to be…
PA Unites Against COVID – Tools from the Commonwealth of PA
The Commonwealth of PA has launched an easy-to-use site with tips that every Pennsylvanian can use to stay safe. Included are ways to stop the spread, information on the COVID Alert PA app, a one-stop resource for current business guidance, and a list of certified businesses that are taking measures to protect their customers. Learn…
LBFC Report on Health and Human Services Hotlines
Last week, the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC), a Joint Committee of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, released a study entitled, “A Report on the Pennsylvania Health and Human Services Hotlines.” The study determined that the cost for the hotlines, for which data was available, was more than $75,369,544 in FY 2018-19. In comparison to…
UWP Sends Memo to PA General Assembly Requesting Housing Relief for Pennsylvanians
This week, United Way of Pennsylvania appealed to the PA General Assembly for an extension of the CARES Act Mortgage and Rental Assistance Program (HB 2868.) If enstated, this extension would continue to provide financial relief for housing costs for Pennsylvanians who have lost wages during the COVID-19 crisis. The memorandum that UWP sent to…