Pennsylvania Resources
To find out about key benefits and services in Pennsylvania and how to apply, select from the topics below.
Key State Contacts
- State Refugee Coordinator
Charlotte Fry
- State Refugee Health Coordinator
Leena Anil
Cash & Food Assistance
Cash assistance available to residents who enter the U.S. under humanitarian protection with low incomes.
Federal nutrition program
Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency.
A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five.
A federal program supporting participants to attain self-sufficiency within 240 days (8 months) of arrival in the United States through financial, case management, and employment supports
A program that provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people age 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.
Refugee & Newcomer Health
The Refugee Health Program works with commonwealth-selected medical providers to ensure that all refugees receive an initial health assessment to identify and treat health conditions or health-related issues that could get in the way of successful resettlement.
Accessing Health Care
- Refugee Medical Assistance
Pennsylvania’s program to provide health coverage to uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance.
Persons with Disabilities
The PA Link to Community Care website is designed to help persons with disabilities and seniors find information that will connect them to supports and services in their community.
Works to protect and advance the rights of people with disabilities
Seniors
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare three months before you turn 65.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
The PA Link to Community Care website is designed to help persons with disabilities and seniors find information that will connect them to supports and services in their community.
The Social Security program in the United States provides protection against the loss of earnings due to retirement, death, or disability.
Children's Health
Early intervention services for infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays
Mental Health
Programs and resources, eligibility, and network of care
Mental health resources for refugees
Find Housing
Addresses housing challenges in Pennsylvania
Assistance with Housing Costs
Heating Assistance/Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Helps residents maintain housing stability
Call 211 (24/7) to speak to a Community Resource Specialist
Housing Counseling
HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country to provide free or low-cost advice.
Orientation
Employment services through the resettlement network
Contracted refugee employment service providers
Other employment services
World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students.
The Welcoming Center promotes economic growth through immigrant integration.
The Matching Grant program helps refugees and other ORR-eligible populations overcome barriers and quickly find jobs. The intent is for refugees to become economically self-sufficient through employment within 240 days and without accessing cash assistance programs.
Documentation
Information and resources about obtaining a driver’s license or state ID
Provides Social Security numbers and administers retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits, and enrolls individuals in Medicare
Language
Free, personalized learning in Allegheny and Beaver Counties
Opportunities for success through lifelong learning and learning for life
Free classes and programs for families and the community at-large
Childcare
If you are looking for help to pay childcare expenses, or if you need help figuring out how to care for and educate your young child, Child Care Works can help.
You can find childcare providers near your home or workplace using the Online Child Care Provider Search database.
Early Childhood Education
Through the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Pennsylvania is helping our children, families, teachers, and communities reach their promise.
Head Start is primarily a federally funded program that provides education, health and social services to families with children aged 3, 4, and 5
K-12 Education
The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) provides assistance to public schools across Pennsylvania who serve students in kindergarten through grade 12. The office works with educators, legislators, government agencies, organizations, and communities across Pennsylvania to ensure students have access to a high-quality education, regardless of their zip code.
Pennsylvania’s Refugee Education Program offers advocacy for a special population of students and parents who otherwise may not have supports.
Adult Education
The Bureau of Postsecondary and Adult Education oversees Adult Education, College and Career Education, Veterans Education, and the Institute for Law Enforcement Education.
Immigration services through the resettlement network
Other legal services available outside of the resettlement network
Help with legal matters for Pennsylvanians who cannot afford an attorney
Welcome Corps
Report cases of fraud (for example, individuals asking for money in exchange for becoming a private sponsor or to assist in submitting an application)
Employment
Pennsylvania’s Attorney General’s working rights handbook
Violence, Human Trafficking, and Exploitation
The Pennsylvania Office of Victim Services has created this site as an information portal to share and coordinate statewide efforts to combat human trafficking.