Help in Hard Times
Having trouble paying your bills? There are programs in place to help you get through these difficult times. These programs, in many cases, are paid for by your taxpayer dollars and are available without charge to any Allegheny County resident who is income eligible.
City & County Reopen Homelessness Prevention Hotline
February 22, 2010
Onorato, Carnegie Museums Promote $1 Admissions for ACCESS Card Holders
December 22, 2008
How you can help
Basic Needs
Housing
Allegheny County DHS Housing Information
Urban League Housing Program
Housing counseling, rental assistance (HUD) and homebuyer education program.
Department of Public Welfare Homeless Assistance Program Overview
1-800-692-7462
The Homeless Assistance Program (HAP) offers services to homeless and near homeless individuals and families.
Homeowners’ Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP)
HEMAP is a state-run loan program designed to protect eligible Pennsylvanians in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure.
National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
The Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009 gives new rights to tenants who live in properties that are foreclosed upon. The Renters in Foreclosure tool kit on the NLIHC website provides a broad range of information to help support tenants.
UtilitiesAllegheny County Utility Assistance Information
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
1-800-851-3838 or 412-350-5869
Assistance with home heating bills, including emergency needs and cash assistance.
TurnSealSave.org Take these steps now to save heat and money.
Find Utility Assistance
Appliances
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and North Hills Community Outreach Appliance Access Program Overview
Reduced price home appliances for those who qualify.
Food
Food Assistance
Emergency food, food pantries, food stamps, out-of-school meals, meals for older adults and WIC.
Produce to People
Free monthly food distributions in communities around Allegheny County
Hunger Services Network of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
412-325-0749
Emergency food and Food Stamp enrollment.
Food Stamps
412-565-2146
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare program offers assistance to buy food and help low-income households.
Enroll online for Food Stamps
Women, Infants and Children program
412-350-5801
Kosher Food available at the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry
412-421-2708
Find local food pantries and soup kitchens
Clothing
Free children's clothing
Resale and thrift stores
Project Prom
Free formal attire for high school students.
Child Care
Child Care Information Services & Child Care Partnerships
412-261-CARE (2273)
Financial child care support for working mothers who meet income requirements.
Early Childhood Education (Early Head Start, Head Start and Pre-K Counts)
1-866-214-KIDS
Provides children, newborn to five years of age, with a comprehensive, flexible program designed to reinforce and respond to the unique strengths and needs of each individual child and family.
Child Care Providers
Computers and Cell Phones
Allegheny County Library Association
Libraries throughout Allegheny County offer free computer use, including internet access and word processing software. Many libraries also offer classes.
Goodwill Computer Store
Refurbished computers are available for purchase at a low cost, including PCs and iMacs.
Goodwill Computer Information Flyer (must print out and take to guarantee prices)
SafeLink Wireless
Free cell phone and service for those who meet eligibility requirements.
Parenting Support
Family Support Centers
Provides parents and neighborhoods with the resources and supports they need to raise healthy and happy children.
Family Resources’ confidential WARMLINE
412-641-4546 or 1-800-WARMLYN
It's a trained person--another parent or child caregiver--who will listen and help you with simple questions or complex situations. There's no question too small. No problem too big.
$1.00 Admission to Carnegie Museums
Any Pennylvania resident with an ACCESS /Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card can visit any of the four Carnegie Museums for $1.00.
Transportation
Allegheny County Transportation Information
Transportation Information
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Services
Providers may support victims of domestic violence and their children with advocacy, crisis intervention, 24-hour crisis hotline, temporary shelter, ongoing individual counseling and support groups.
Gambling Addiction
The National Council on Problem Gambling
Gamblers Anonymous
Information about the fellowship support group and its programs for compulsive gamblers.
Gambling Addiction
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Education
Allegheny County Library Association
Libraries around Allegheny County offer free use of books, CDs, DVDs and other educational materials. Many libraries offer a variety of classes.
Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council
Provides adults literacy services such as GED preparation classes, basic skills tutoring and English as a Second Language conversation skills
Career Transition for Dislocated Workers
Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Career Transition Center for Dislocated Workers
412-788-7351
CCAC offers free tuition for laid-off workers and transitional programs for employers forced to downsize.
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Employment
Unemployment
File for Unemployment Benefits
Job Training, Preparation and Search
Allegheny County Employment Services
Job opportunities, job training, job search assistance, CareerLink and EARN program.
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
412-227-5021
Employment counseling and placement.
VETS Resource Connection
Employment, reemployment, training, education and benefits for our nations' veterans.
Department of Labor Job & Training Information
Job-seeker and unemployment information.
Find Job Assistance programs
Imagine my new job
Scans job postings in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties and matches them to the desired keyword. These are the high-tech, high-paying careers in engineering, research and development, architecture, information technology, health care, advanced manufacturing, accounting, life sciences, and more.
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Financial Support
Legal Assistance
Get Help Now, Pennsylvania
888-799-4557
Help from lawyers, banking and mortgage professionals and financial analysts with expertise in finance, credit and bankruptcy.
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 7 through Sept. 10
Financial Counseling
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Western Pennsylvania
Financial Assistance
Temporary Assistance for Families in Need (TANF)
County Assistance Office 412-565-2146
Unemployment compensation
Toll Free 888-313-7284 or 412-267-1315, TTY 888-334-4046
Social Security Benefits
1-800-772-1213 TTY 1-800-325-0778
Tax Preparation Information
Allegheny County Information about Tax Preparation Information
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Health
Health Care
Guide for Uninsured and Underinsured
The Allegheny County Health Department publishes a guide of local health care centers for persons who are uninsured and underinsured.
Allegheny County Health Department Primary Care Centers
Services include routine health supervision, prevention, and care when sick for all family members.
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
American Optometric AssociationVision USA Program
800-766-4466
For uninsured individuals needing an eye exam and have not have had an exam for 2 years.
Health Insurance
Allegheny County Health Insurance Information
Information about health care and health insurance programs.
Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
412-565-2146
Provides payment for health care services on behalf of eligible low-income individuals with limited income and high medical expenses.
Apply for Medical Assistance online
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
1-800-986-KIDS (5437)
Health Insurance for children living in Pennsylvania.
Apply for CHIP online
adultBasic
1-800-GO-BASIC
Provides quality healthcare coverage that is accessible and affordable to the Commonwealth's uninsured adult population.
Apply for adultBasic online
Health Insurance Counseling for Older Adults
Information about APPRISE, a free health insurance counseling service available to individuals aged 60 and older.
Prescription Assistance
1-800-225-7223
PACE, PACENET and PACE Plus Medicare are Pennsylvania’s prescription assistance programs for older adults, offering low-cost prescription medication to qualified residents age 65 and older.
Apply for PACE online
Mental Health Support
Allegheny County Mental Health Services
re:solve 1-888-7 YOU CAN (1-888-796-8226)
Added stressors can take a toll on coping. By calling re:solve at 1-888-7YOU-CAN you can talk with a mental health professional to keep a crisis from happening.
PA Department of Public Welfare Mental Health Services
Find Mental Health Services
Drug and Alcohol Services
Allegheny County DHS Drug and Alcohol Services
Pennsylvania Substance Abuse Services
Low Cost Prescriptions
PA Prescription Price Finder
By entering a Zip code and the name of the prescribed medicine, this new online tool will give consumers a list of local pharmacies with price comparisons.
Eyeglasses
New Eyes for the Needy
New Eyes for the Needy Purchases new eyeglasses for poor children and adults in the United States and recycles donated glasses for distribution to indigent people in developing nations worldwide.
Lens Crafters Gift of Sight
1-888-935-4589
Individuals can inquire at an individual store, in writing.
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Places to Go for Help
Allegheny County Department of Human Services
412-350-5701
Human Services Building
One Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Get Directions to One Smithfield Street
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) is responsible for serving the comprehensive needs of income-eligible families and individuals across their life span through tangible aid and a full continuum of services including information exchange, prevention, early intervention, case management, crisis intervention and after care.
Access to a variety of services including: Information and Referral, utility assistance, transportation, early childhood education, employment services, services for seniors and people with physical and cognitive disabilities, housing, food, mental health services, drug and alcohol services, child welfare services, family support services and crisis intervention.
Allegheny County Health Department
412-687-ACHD (2243)
3333 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Get directions to 3333 Forbes Avenue
The Allegheny County Health Department assures quality public health services by promoting individual and community wellness, preventing injury, illness and premature death or disability, and protecting the population from harmful effects of chemical, biological and physical hazards within the environment.
Services include food and health care.
Allegheny County Assistance Office
412-565-2146
Multiple locations – see website for details
Headquarters
611 Pittsburgh State Office Building
300 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1215
Get directions to 300 Liberty Avenue
The County Assistance Office (CAO) helps people apply for benefits made available through the PA Department of Public Welfare. Assistance includes food, cash, medical insurance and utility bills.
Apply online
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
412-227-4802
610 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Get directions to 610 Wood Street
The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh serves anyone in need. Services include housing assistance, food, and employment.
United Way of Allegheny County
412-255-1155
1250 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Get directions to 1250 Penn Ave.
The United Way of Allegheny County posts Guides and Directories and offers the searchable HelpConnections database on the United Way website so you can find just the help you need.
Allegheny County Department of Veteran's Services
412-621-4357
4141 Fifth Avenue
Third Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Get directions to 4141 Fifth Avenue
The Allegheny County Department of Veteran’s Services supports both active and retired National Guard and U.S. military personnel.
HumanServices.net
Human Services is a web-based resource for finding most human services or service providers in Allegheny County. Information includes contact information, services provided and directions to locations. Instructions for using HumanServices.net are available. Directory includes services for food, health care, clothing, utility assistance, cash, housing, transportation, child care, domestic violence, crisis intervention, parenting support and more.
Allegheny County Resource Guides
Basic needs are met in Allegheny County by many agencies. Printable booklets that list the names and contact information for some of these agencies are available.The United Way offers additional guides.
Pennsylvania's Here to Help
From meeting basic needs for food and shelter to upgrading professional skills to find a new job in a high-demand industry, the commonwealth has a wide variety of programs to help people get through the tough times.
Pennsylvania Health and Human Services HelpinPA Facebook page
Provides current information and updates about a variety of Pennsylvania’s health and human service programs, events and resources. Citizens and community-based organizations are able to learn more about health insurance programs, services for children and adults with special health care needs, prenatal services, breastfeeding support, and services for older Pennsylvanians.
Pennsylvania Health and Human Services resource guides (2010)
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How you can help
Neighbor-Aid
5 PPG Place
Second Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Get Directions to 5 PPG Place
Neighbor-Aid is a special emergency fund created by the Pittsburgh Foundation in collaboration with the United Way of Allegheny County to help families and individuals in Allegheny County who are facing hardship in the economic crisis.
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