Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is accepting applications. This federally funded program helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service. The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are $21,870 for an individual, $29,580 for a couple and $45,000 for a family of four. Find limits for other family sizes here. Residents may apply for LIHEAP online or by contacting their local county assistance office.
Click here for the December 2023 issue of READY PA, published by PEMA.
Disability Rights PA “Rights of People with Disabilities in an Emergency” fact sheets
- Evacuation Plan Inclusion and Accessibility; 2) Effective Notification and Communication for People with Disabilities; 3) Access to Shelter and Temporary Housing; and 4) Access to Healthcare, Social Services, and Recovery Services
Click here for the DHS webpage.
The PA Department of Human Services has a new website for Mass Care. You can read about the Task Forces and other resources available to support mass care needs in the Commonwealth at www.dhs.pa.gov/MassCare.
FEMA Cold and Flu Tool Kit
INSURANCE RESOURCES
🔺United Policyholders has set up a Hurricane Ian Help Library to assist impacted households with current information and resources. They have published a new guidance on shopping for property insurance that is intended to help consumers select from competing options and avoid underinsuring their assets. It is reported that a growing number of people across the United States are now scrambling to find any options at all for insurance. Read the guidance.
United Policy Holders also has these resources:
- Hurricane Ian Insurance and Recovery Help Library
- Avoiding Frauds and Scams After a Disaster
- NFIP flood policyholders can request a $20,000 advance
- Help from the FL. Division of Consumer Services
- Licensed professional claim help
- Tips to keep your Insurance Policies Up-to-Date
Do you need up-to-date travel information?
Do you know that you can get information on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting 511PA. 511PA is free and available 24 hours a day; it provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. You can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the “Check My Route” tool. Motorists can sign up for alerts on 511PA by clicking on “Personal Alerts†in the left-hand menu. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices by calling â˜Žï¸ 5-1-1 or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The PA Department of Human Services encourages all Pennsylvanians with low incomes to enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program that helps people pay for broadband service and internet-connected devices necessary to maintain reliable internet access in their homes. Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov to apply or print out and mail in a completed application.
Implicit Bias
The Office of Health Equity in the PA Department of Health has developed an Implicit Bias Toolkit. This is toolkit, which is intended for those working in healthcare settings, can provide a lot of great resources and information surrounding the reduction of implicit and explicit bias in our work as well. You can find the toolkit at Implicit Bias Toolkit. Other useful resources can be found online to help you consider the manifestation and impact of biases in our daily lives. One example is Harvard University’s Project Implicit.
AARP PREPAREDNESS RESOURCE CENTER
To help people and communities prepare for potential weather disasters, AARP has launched a PREPAREDNESS Resource Center at aarp.org/disasterprep, where you can find information on
- Emergency repose information tailored to older adults;
- A list of everything that should be packed in a emergency escape kit;
- Apps and gadgets that can help keep you safe in a disaster;
- Details on staying in communication with state and local authorities;
- How to keep you pets safe in a disaster.
SENIOR FOOD BOX PROGRAM
The Senior Food Box Program supplements low-income seniors’ diets with nutritious food, including non-fat dry and shelf-stable fluid milk, juice, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, dry beans, peanut butter, canned meat, poultry, fish and canned fruits and vegetables. To participate, individuals must be at least 60 years old and meet income eligibility guidelines. A single senior’s annual income may not exceed $18,954, and the income for a couple is capped at $25,636. Seniors who would like to participate should call ☎️800-468-2433 to be directed to the regional food bank distributing the Senior Food Box in their county of residence. Learn more here.