Resource Library

Military Share Food Distribution (Veteran-specific resource)

412-481-8200

Drive-through food pick up occurring once a month from 12PM-5pm at the Veteran’s Leadership Program at 2934 Smallman St. Pittsburgh, PA. 

PA 2-1-1 Southwest

Dial 2-1-1 or 888-553-5778

Dial 7-1-1 for hearing impaired

Call 211 if you have emergency food needs and wish to be connected to resources.

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

For a list of pantries and information on food banks in your area, call 412-460-3663

Pennsylvania Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

For application assistance, call the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank at 1-833-822-7627 or text SNAPPA to 555-888

SNAP helps you and your family buy food needed for good health. You can buy food from most grocery stores and other retailers that sell food. If you meet the program guidelines, you will get a special debit card (called an EBT Card). This debit card comes with a certain amount of money already on it to pay for food. The amount of money you get on the card may depend on three things: household income from all sources, number of people in your household, and where you live.

Senior Boxes – Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

412-460-3663 ext. 720

Qualified individuals aged 60 and over with incomes of less than 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible for a monthly box of groceries. Included in the box you’ll find a variety of canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, beans, cereal, pasta, bottled juice, shelf-stable milk, canned meat and 2 pounds of cheese. Rebuilding Together may be able to deliver your box to your home. Please inquire when signing up.

Meals on Wheels

Call Allegheny County Senior Line to Sign Up 412-350-5460 or 1-800-344-4319

Meals on Wheels provide meals to anyone over the age of 60, regardless of income or health. Anyone under the age of 60 must be recovering and rehabilitating from an illness, injury or surgery. Meals can be provided as many days a week as needed. Food can be left with neighbors but cannot be left in coolers or at the front door.

800.298.0237Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF)

888-987-2423

The Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, or PAHAF, is a housing-related program funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to assist Pennsylvania homeowners facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic that began after January 21, 2020, (including a hardship that began before January 21, 2020, and continued after that date). The program will provide financial assistance to homeowners for qualified mortgage and housing-related expenses to avoid delinquency, default, foreclosure, or displacement.

Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) (Veteran-specific resource)

412-621-4357, Dwight Boddarf, Allegheny County Director of Veteran’s Affairs

VTA provides temporary financial assistance to Veterans and their beneficiaries who reside in Pennsylvania for the necessities of life (food, dairy, shelter, fuel and clothing). If eligible, a Veteran or their beneficiary can qualify for an amount not to exceed $1,600 in a twelve-month period. Please call Allegheny County Director of Veteran’s Affairs for information about eligibility.

Pennsylvania Unemployment & Workers Compensation Benefits

If you are employed in Pennsylvania and are unable to work, you may be eligible for Unemployment or Workers’ Compensation benefits        

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS

An application can be filed at the statewide unemployment compensation toll-free number at 1-888-313-7284.                                                     

WORKERS COMPENSATION SERVICES

If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19 in your workplace, you may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation.  For information, call the PA Workers Compensation Helpline at 717-772-4447.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

1-877-345-3382

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides temporary benefits to people who, due to a presidentially declared major disaster, lost or had their employment or self-employment interrupted. To be considered, you must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)

To Help borrowers who are at risk of losing their home, the FHFA has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) to suspend foreclosures and evictions for at least 60 days due to the coronavirus national emergency. The foreclosure and eviction suspension applies to homeowners with an Enterprise-backed single-family mortgage.

*BENEFIT IS NOT AUTOMATIC. Borrowers must contact their mortgage service provider as soon as possible if they are affected.

CARES Act Payments

The CARES Act provides for Economic Impact Payments to American households of up to $1,200 per adult for individuals whose income was less than $99,000 (or $198,000 for joint filers) and $500 per child under 17 years old – or up to $3,400 for a family of four. On 4/13/20, payments began to be wired to eligible recipients who previously authorized the IRS to post their refunds (or Social Security payments) through direct deposit. In early May 2020, the IRS will start mailing paper checks to households, at a rate of 5 million per week. The paper checks will first go to the households with the lowest adjusted gross incomes and continue upwards. It could take up to 20 weeks to mail out all checks. Please call 2-1-1 for questions & assistance.

Allegheny County Financial Empowerment Center

1-800-298-0237

Provides professional one-on-one financial counseling

Allegheny County Homeowner Programs

City of Pittsburgh Homeowner Programs

Gas Utility Assistance Programs

The following are programs available to both Peoples and Columbia Gas customers. Both providers manage a host of assistance programs. Those administered by only one provider will be indicated. To access these programs, call the number listed for your gas provider.

Peoples Gas 1-800-400-9276; Columbia Gas 1-800-537-7431

Customer Assistance Program/Budget Billing

(CAP) participants are given affordable, monthly, long-term bill payment plans so they can maintain their gas service. Payments are based on income, not gas usage.

Emergency Furnace, Water Heater, and Line Repair Program

Provides assistance to income-eligible homeowners with furnace, primary heat source appliances, and houseline repair issues.

Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Services (CARES) *Columbia Gas only

Offers basic budget counseling, customized payment plans, and referrals to energy grant programs and community resources. In cases of extreme hardship, those above income limits may qualify.

Dollar Energy Fund Grants

1-800-764-0111

Provides cash assistance to income-eligible customers whose gas service is off or in threat of termination. You must have applied for LIHEAP/Crisis first (when open) and have made a good faith payment on the account within the last 90 days. Program opens October 1st.

Duquesne Light Customer Assistance Program

1-866-282-3147

This program offers qualifying Duquesne customers reduced monthly payments based on ability to pay and debt forgiveness if terms of the CAP agreements are met. The applicant’s household income must be less than 150% of the federal income poverty guidelines. Contact the CAP location nearest you for an application.

Duquesne Light Emergency Repair Program

1-866-282-3147

Duquesne Light provides quick assistance, free of cost to our customer, through our Emergency Repair Fund to help income eligible homeowners that are in an unsafe electrical situation. Programs offerings:
Whole House air conditioner repair/replace when deemed unsafe and medically necessary, repair of frayed/unsafe service line drops, electrical service panel upgrades. electrical panel inspections when electric service has been off for a year or more, remediation of other health and safety conditions. Income eligibility cap is 150% of Federal Poverty Level.

Duquesne Light Energy Assessment

1-866-282-3147

This program helps customers, homeowners, and renters, reduce their energy use and make their homes more comfortable while saving money on their electric bills through energy education and conservation measures. This program can provide eligible applicants with LED lightbulbs, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and a new refrigerator. Income eligibility cap is 150% of Federal Poverty Level.

Pennsylvania American Water H20 to Help Others Program

1-888-282-6816

Provides water service assistance to low-income customers who are at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty guidelines (see chart on page 6) in the form of grants of up to $500 per year, an 85 % discount on the monthly water service charge, and water-saving device(s) and education. They also connect low-income customers to wastewater service assistance in the form of grants of up to $500 per year, and a 20% discount on the total wastewater charges.  

Phone & Internet (Please Call Your Service Provider for More Information)

Comcast, 1-800-934-6489

Comcast internet users have unlimited data for 60 days and will not disconnect services or assess late fees for 60 days. Comcast Internet Essentials is offering two free months of Internet to qualified low income customers, call 1-855-846-8376. 

Verizon, 1-800-922-0204                                  

Waived late fees & service disruption. Offering two months of waived internet and voice service charges for current Lifeline customers and a new affordable internet option for low income households. Unlimited domestic calling. Automatically adding 15GB of data across nearly all mobile plans.

AT&T, 1-800-288-2020

Offering free public access at its hotspots for 60 days, no late fees, and unlimited data to customers for at least 60 days.

Sprint, 1-888-211-4727

Offering expanded roaming access to the T-Mobile network, free international calling, no late fees, and unlimited data for 60 days.

Cricket Wireless, 1-800-274-253                 

Waiving Reactivation Fees, have BridgePay available, which lets you split your current bill into two payments.

If your utility provider could not solve your utility issue, you can seek assistance by calling the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Consumer Hotline at 1-800-692-7380.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit

412-562-5353

ACCESS Transit

412-562-5353

ACCESS is a door-to-door, advance reservation, shared–ride transportation program provided throughout Allegheny County and to destinations in adjoining counties within 1.5 miles. Please call to schedule a ride or get contact information for an ACCESS service provider in your neighborhood.

Travelers Aid Medical Assistance Transportation (MATP)

412-281-5474

Through a contract with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and Office of Medical Assistance Transportation, Travelers Aid can provide roundtrip transportation to eligible consumers to attend billable to medical assistance services.

PACE Prescription Assistance Program

1-800-225-7223

PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid program that helps people meet their healthcare needs. The PACE prescription assistance program is allowing for early prescription refills in order to allow older adults to keep several weeks’ worth of medication on hand as is recommended by the current COVID-19 preparedness guidance. PACE will now reimburse refills purchased before 75% of the days’ supply has passed except for opioids and other controlled substances; these will be handled on a case-by-case basis. To refill your medication early, simply ask your pharmacy provider. For information about qualifying for PACE, please call the number listed above.

Local Pharmacies

Many local pharmacies across Allegheny County are now offering free delivery for all older adults, even if they are not a PACE beneficiary. When requesting your medication to be filled or refilled, simply ask your pharmacy provider for free home delivery.

Veterans Crisis Line (Veteran-specific services)

1-800-273-8255 or send text to 838255

If you are a service member or Veteran in crisis or you’re concerned about one, there are specially trained responders ready to help you, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through a confidential toll-free hotline or text-messaging service.

Peer Support & Advocacy Network

Peer Support and Advocacy Network is available from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. 1-866-661-9276

Crisis Services available 24/7 call 1-888-796-8226

Peer Support and Advocacy Network is an organization offering peer support to individuals with mental illness through a variety of programs. All programs focus on recovery and the provision of hope and understanding.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Disaster Distress Hotline is 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.  People with deafness or hearing loss can use their preferred relay service to call 1-800-985-5990

SAMSHA’s trained information specialists answer calls, transfer callers to state services or other appropriate intake centers in their states and connect them with local assistance and support.

Resolve Crisis Services

24-hour hotline at 1-888-796-8226

The Resolve Crisis Hotline is free for Allegheny County Residents and can be of help if you need to talk with someone about any problem – big or small. Some examples are:

• You’ve had a bad day or a series of bad days
• You’re dealing with the loss of a loved one
• You’ve lost your job
• You want to help a loved one with any of these concerns

Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

412-687-8005, 24 hr. hotline.

People are being asked to stay at home, which can be the most dangerous place for domestic violence victims and their children. If you or someone you know is experiencing physical, emotional or psychological abuse from a spouse or partner, call the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh’s 24-Hour Emergency Hotline for help and support.

Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging

412-350-6905 or 1-800-344-4319                              

Area Agency on Aging accepts calls 24 hrs. a day for concerns about the well-being of a person over the age of 60. Concerns include physical abuse, verbal abuse, mental/emotional abuse, financial exploitation, caretaker neglect/abandonment, & self-neglect. Callers can voice concerns anonymously.

PA Adult Protective Services

1-800-490-8505                           

The PA Department of Human Services’ Adult Protective Services Hotline accepts calls 24 hours a day for concerns about the well-being of adults between the ages of 18 and 59 with a physical or mental disability. Concerns include physical abuse, verbal abuse, mental/emotional abuse, financial exploitation, & caretaker neglect/abandonment. Callers can voice concerns anonymously. 

ChildLine

1-800-932-0313                                                  

If you witness or suspect any abuse of a person under the age of 18, please call the ChildLine. ChildLine accepts calls 24 hours a day. Callers can voice their concerns anonymously unless they are registered as a mandated reporter with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Allegheny County Property Tax Abatements and Exemptions

Act 50 Homestead Exclusion

412-350-4636

Under this amendment, the initial $18,000 in assessed value of each owner-occupied residential property and certain farm­stead properties within Allegheny County will be excluded from County real estate property taxation.

Act 77 Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief

412-350-4100 or 1-866-282-8297

This program entitles qualified Allegheny County homeowners (aged 60 or under 60 that are permanently disabled) to a flat 30-percent discount on county property taxes.