Cash Assistance PDF Print E-mail

General Assistance

General Assistance is a cash payment supplemented by Medicaid, paid from State funds only, for categories of persons who do not qualify for Federal Assistance. This would include: individuals without minor children in their care who have an illness and needy children in the care of non relatives. Needy persons applying for disability benefits might receive GA if they agree as a condition of eligibility to reimburse the state from disability benefits when received.


How to Apply:

You can apply for and renew your benefits from the comfort of your home using COMPASS, the online resource for cash assistance, Food Stamps, help with child care, health care coverage, home heating assistance (LIHEAP), school meals, SelectPlan for Women and long-term living services. You can also:

If you need help completing the application form or need more information about benefits, trained County Assistance Office staff can help you.

The following information about the application process for a wide variety of DPW programs is from its website.

COMPASS is a Web site that allows individuals and community based organizations access to screen for, apply for, and renew a broad range of social programs. It serves as a single access point for application and renewal of as well as screenings


  • Health Care Coverage
    • Medical Assistance
    • Medical Assistance for Worker’s with Disabilities
    • Medical Savings Program for Payment of Medical Assistance Premiums
    • Children’s Health Insurance Program
    • adultBasic
  • Food Stamp Benefits
  • Cash Assistance
  • Long Term Care
  • Home and Community Based Services for individuals with mental retardation
    • Consolidated Waiver for Individuals with Mental Retardation
    • Person/Family-Directed Support Waiver for Individuals with Mental Retardation
    • Mental Retardation Services (non-MA)
  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (Seasonal availability)
  • Free or Reduced Price Meals School
  • SelectPlan for Women (Family Planning Services)
  • Child Care Works

COMPASS allows current recipients of Department of Public Welfare benefits to create secure, personal accounts through a process called “My COMPASS Account.” My COMPASS Account provides recipients with information about their:


  • Health Care Benefit Package
  • Food Stamp Benefit
  • Cash Assistance Benefit
  • SelectPlan for Women Benefit

COMPASS “Community Partner View” offers registered COMPASS Community Partners access to enhanced tools such as:


  • the Power User application
    • Streamlines the application process
    • Decreases application processing time
    • Provides e-Signature functionality
  • Application Management
    • Allows Users to initiate and track applications
    • Portfolio of submitted and suspended applications
    • Quick Reports
    • Printable Forms
  • Individuals/families that can't get to the office during normal business hours can apply for or renew benefits online. By using COMPASS, consumers and the professionals who help them, can apply or renew at any time of the day or night from a home, library, health care clinic, community center or any location with Internet access.
  • Users have up to 30 days to complete the e-Form (application and renewal) process, and can log in and out of the system as they please.
  • Although face-to-face interviews are still required for some programs, application or renewal processing begins the moment the e-Form is submitted electronically.
  • When a person hits the "Submit" button, the system seamlessly sends it to the appropriate state agency.
  • COMPASS uses the latest technology to make the program easier for people with disabilities to use, reducing any barriers for those with visual, hearing, physical or cognitive disabilities. The e-Form(applications and renewal) process is compliant with the American with Disabilities Act.

Both English and Spanish versions are available, and ten other languages are used to indicate to non-English speaking individuals that it is an application or renewal process for important benefits, and where to find assistance to help complete the process.

COMPASS “Community Partner View” offers registered COMPASS Community Partners access to enhanced tools such as:


  • the Power User application
    • Streamlines the application process
    • Decreases application processing time
    • Provides e-Signature functionality
  • Application Management
    • Allows Users to initiate and track applications
    • Portfolio of submitted and suspended applications
    • Quick Reports
    • Printable Forms

 

What are the benefits of COMPASS?

  • Individuals/families that can't get to the office during normal business hours can apply for or renew benefits online. By using COMPASS, consumers and the professionals who help them, can apply or renew at any time of the day or night from a home, library, health care clinic, community center or any location with Internet access.
  • Users have up to 30 days to complete the e-Form (application and renewal) process, and can log in and out of the system as they please.
  • Although face-to-face interviews are still required for some programs, application or renewal processing begins the moment the e-Form is submitted electronically.
  • When a person hits the "Submit" button, the system seamlessly sends it to the appropriate state agency.
  • COMPASS uses the latest technology to make the program easier for people with disabilities to use, reducing any barriers for those with visual, hearing, physical or cognitive disabilities. The e-Form(applications and renewal) process is compliant with the American with Disabilities Act.

Both English and Spanish versions are available, and ten other languages are used to indicate to non-English speaking individuals that it is an application or renewal process for important benefits, and where to find assistance to help complete the process.

When submitting a renewal electronically, users must remember to send or fax the signature page and any necessary verification to the address provided on the screen.

Who is eligible to apply?
Anyone with Internet access can use COMPASS, whether they are applying for or renewing benefits for their own family or helping someone else. There are eligibility requirements for specific benefits.

 
Who is eligible to use COMPASS Community Partner View?
Registered COMPASS Community Partners have access to the Community Partner View features. Click on the Sign up to be a Community Partner link displayed at the bottom of the “Welcome to COMPASS” screen to learn more about becoming a COMPASS Community Partner.

 
How can the user check the status of an e-Form application?
COMPASS allows users to check the status of an application by entering the e-Form number and their password. The status check lists each individual, benefits for which they applied and whether the application is approved, denied, in process, or not available.

 
Will COMPASS tell me if I am eligible for benefits?
No, COMPASS does not determine eligibility. Caseworkers for the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) determine eligibility for DPW benefits such as Medical Assistance- related health care, food stamps, cash assistance, long term care, home and community based waivers, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance, and Child Care Works Program. Workers for the Insurance Department determine eligibility for CHIP and adultBasic health care benefits. School employees determine eligibility for the Free or Reduced Price School meals Program.

 
What does "Renewal" mean?
A renewal is a review of all eligibility factors that are subject to change to determine if a recipient remains eligible for benefits.
Renewals are also known as reapplications, recertification, and re-determinations.

 

Who is eligible to renew on COMPASS?
Anyone who receives a "Renewal Notice" can use COMPASS to renew eligibility for the benefits they currently receive the Renewal Notice will be mailed to current recipient of benefits. The notice will contain information about the COMPASS Renewal process and will provide the information required to logon to the COMPASS e-Form Renewal.

 
Can the user check the status of a renewal?
At this time, the status of a renewal cannot be checked on COMPASS.


 
Secure, Private and Confidential
An encryption process protects information during electronic transmission on
COMPASS. A user identification/password ensures confidentiality once the application or renewal is received. Individuals can use their unique user identification/password to check on the status of their application after it is submitted or to suspend the application or renewal for up to 30 days in order to gather additional information.

 

What health and human service programs can be accessed through COMPASS?
COMPASS first offering in October 2001 was the joint application for Medical Assistance and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Since that time COMPASS has expanded to include a variety of health and human service programs.

 


Are You Eligible?
To be eligible for Cash Assistance/TANF, certain requirements must be met. County Assistance Office staff can provide more information on all of these requirements:
  • You must be a United States citizen and a resident of Pennsylvania. (Certain non-citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence may also be eligible.)
  • You and your family members must provide Social Security Numbers or apply for one.
  • You are required to seek employment or participate in an employment and training program. (Some persons may be exempt from employment requirements because of personal circumstances; for example, a temporary or permanent disability.)
  • You are required to agree to, sign and follow through on an Agreement of Mutual Responsibility, which is a plan for what you will do to find permanent employment.
  • If you are seeking Cash Assistance for a dependent child, you must agree to cooperate with paternity and child support requirements, unless there is good cause for not seeking support. Your child must be under age 18 or age 18 and a full-time student, living with and cared for by you and in need of support or care because of the:
    • Death of a parent;
    • Incapacity of a parent;
    • Continued absence of a parent; or
    • Unemployment of one or both parents.

(Only the non-cooperating caretaker can be sanctioned for failure to cooperate with child support requirements.)

  • Your resources (things with cash value such as bank accounts, bonds or property that is not your primary residence) must have a value of $1,000 or less.
You must report all income from employment or from other sources including, but not limited to, child support, unemployment compensation, interest, Social Security benefits, or lottery winnings.

 
How Long Can I Receive TANF?
Generally, you can receive Cash Assistance for 60 months TOTAL (five years) over the course of your lifetime.

 

SSI and Cash Assistance An individual who is disabled in a cash assistance family and receiving SSI from the Social Security Administration is not included in the unit and the SSI money and income counted toward that SSI grant is not double counted against the cash assistance grant.


Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for General Assistance, you must be:
  • Under age 18; or
  • Between the ages of 18 and 20, attending school and expected to graduate before age 21; or
  • Parents in a two-parent household with a child under age 13 (NOTE: General Assistance is provided only to households that do not meet the requirements for TANF); or
  • Parents in a two-parent household with a child age 13 or over who is disabled (NOTE: General Assistance is provided only to households that do not meet the requirements for TANF); or
  • Temporarily or permanently physically or mentally disabled preventing you from working in any gainful employment; or
  • Undergoing active treatment for substance abuse in an approved drug or alcohol program if the treatment program precludes any form of employment (there is a nine-month lifetime limit for this category);or
  • A victim of domestic violence (there is a nine-month lifetime limit for this category); or
  • A pregnant woman who is not eligible for TANF; or
  • An adult other than a relative who is caring for a child under age 13; or

Be caring for another person in the household who is ill or disabled, if there is no other adult in the household who is capable of providing the care (NOTE: the household would first be reviewed for TANF eligibility).

 
What are the Amounts?
Cash Assistance payments are determined by the state. Grant amounts are a percentage of a standard of need and have not been raised since January 1990. There are 4 payment schedules. Payments have not increased since January of 1990.Grants begin at $205 per person per month in Delco (slightly higher in Montco/Delco). Other income is adjusted against the grants. Earned income receives disregards as an incentive. Child Support payments assigned to the State receive a pass through that goes to the caretaker for the child.

 

Special Allowances for Supportive Services
Supportive services are items or services for cash and food stamp recipients needed by an individual in order to participate in an Employment and Training Program. A special allowance is the payment for required items or services. Special allowances for supportive services can be provided, as necessary, to help individuals prepare for, seek, accept or maintain education, training or employment. The CAO will assist the participant in obtaining supportive services and issue special allowances necessary to participate in approved activities.The CAO must inform applicants and recipients, orally and in writing, of the availability of SPALs at application, reapplication and whenever the E&T; plan is developed or revised.. Special allowances for supportive services are commonly referred to as SPALs and can include, but are not limited to, items such as:books and supplies; equipment and tools; transportation costs; vehicle repair costs.

NOTE: The CAO assesses eligibility for child care via CIS. If the individual is eligible, a system referral is completed and sent to Pennsylvania Enterprise to Child Care Information Services (CCIS) will assist the individual in locating and paying for child care.

A SPAL is made only to the extent that the item or service is not available from another public source at no cost to the individual.


Generally, Special allowances for all supportive services will be paid by the CAO in advance of the date that payment is required by the provider.

Appeal Rights: If applications are denied, reduced or terminated the agency must send a written notice of explanation and supporting regulations. You may file an appeal. An appeal filed within 10 days keeps the benefits pending a final decision, including a reconsidered decision by the Secretary of Public Welfare if that is filed. Generally, an appeal must be filed within 30 days, but for food stamps, where it is 90 days. Appeals must be in writing except for food stamps, which may be filed orally. If the hearing decision is not made within 60 days for food stamps or 90 days for cash, Medicaid and services, you may receive interim relief pending the final decision. Regulations governing appeals are at 55 PA Code CH 275. Appeals may be sent to:

The Director
Bureau of Hearings and Appeals
Department of Public Welfare
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675.

 Frequently Asked Questions