If you are affected by the Federal Government Shutdown, here are Pennsylvania-based resources available to you right now. This guide keeps things simple: manage cash flow, secure food and health coverage, keep your utilities on, and protect your housing.
NOTE: This information is gathered from public internet sources. Programs change; always click through, confirm details, and beware of scams (no fees to apply for SNAP, Medicaid, UI, housing, or 2-1-1). If something looks off, call the official numbers on the linked sites to verify before sharing personal info. This is not legal, financial, or life advice; seek licensed professionals for help.
🕐 What to do first (10-minute plan)
- Cash flow triage: File or reopen your Unemployment Compensation (UC) claim through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) and certify weekly via uc.pa.gov.
- Food & health coverage: Apply for SNAP (Food Assistance) and Medicaid through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) using the COMPASS portal. Check eligibility for WIC through the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH).
- Keep the heat and lights on: Apply for LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and Crisis Grants through DHS or county assistance offices. Contact PECO, PPL Electric, or Columbia Gas for hardship programs.
- Housing stability: Access rental and mortgage assistance through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and HUD Pennsylvania.
- One-stop referrals: Dial 2-1-1 Pennsylvania or visit pa211.org for help with food, housing, bills, and health services.
🔗 Links & Resources (Pennsylvania)
Income & Jobs
Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation (UC):
🔗 https://www.uc.pa.gov/
File or Reopen Claim:
🔗 https://www.uc.pa.gov/unemployment-benefits/file/Pages/default.aspx
PA CareerLink (Job Search & Training):
🔗 https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov/
Food Access
SNAP (Food Assistance):
🔗 https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/SNAP.aspx
Apply via COMPASS Portal:
🔗 https://www.compass.state.pa.us/
WIC (Women, Infants & Children):
🔗 https://www.pawic.com/
Feeding Pennsylvania (Food Bank Network):
🔗 https://www.feedingpa.org/
Health Coverage
Medicaid & CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program):
🔗 https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/Medical-Assistance.aspx
Apply via COMPASS:
🔗 https://www.compass.state.pa.us/
Community Health Centers:
🔗 https://www.pachc.org/find-health-center
Heat, Utilities & Weatherization
LIHEAP (Energy Assistance):
🔗 https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/LIHEAP.aspx
Weatherization Assistance Program:
🔗 https://dced.pa.gov/programs/weatherization-assistance-program-wap/
PECO Energy Assistance:
🔗 https://www.peco.com/MyAccount/CustomerSupport/Pages/AssistancePrograms.aspx
PPL Electric Assistance:
🔗 https://www.pplelectric.com/billhelp
Columbia Gas Payment Assistance:
🔗 https://www.columbiagaspa.com/billing-payment/assistance-programs
Housing
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA):
🔗 https://www.phfa.org/
HUD Pennsylvania:
🔗 https://www.hud.gov/states/pennsylvania
Rental Assistance Programs:
🔗 https://www.phfa.org/hsgresources/cares.aspx
One-stop referrals
2-1-1 Pennsylvania:
🔗 https://www.pa211.org/
Community Action Agencies Directory:
🔗 https://www.thecaap.org/find-agency
Legal Help
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network:
🔗 https://palegalaid.net/
Community Justice Project:
🔗 https://www.communityjusticeproject.org/
Disability Rights Pennsylvania:
🔗 https://disabilityrightspa.org/
Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral:
🔗 https://www.pabar.org/site/Public/Find-a-Lawyer
Crafted by JobsInMyState.com in support of fellow Americans.