PUBLIC ASSISTANCE & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:

Emergency Short-term Financial Assistance:
http://www.milvet.state.pa.us/DMVA/185.htm

SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICES
1-800-772-1213 6117
Penn Circle North
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
www.ssa.gov

Services: Issues new Social Security cards, provides information on Supplemental Security income and other services that are distributed through the Social Security administration. You can fill out an application online for a Social Security card, but you will need to personally take it to a Social Security office. The office is open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 4p.m.

REMEMBER TO BRING THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO OBTAIN A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD:

• Either a birth certificate, U.S. hospital record of birth, religious record established before age 5 showing your age of birth, passport OR final adoption decree


• U.S. driver's license or U.S. state-issued identity card OR U.S. passport

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION BENEFITS PLANNING AND OUTREACH PROGRAM

412-381-3313

Services: Provides benefit planning assistance and outreach including information about "The Ticket" and other work incentives.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OFFICE
www.dpw.state.pa.us

Services: Apply for public assistance, including TANF, General Assistance, Medical Assistance, and Food Stamps at the office near your residence. There is a state helpline (1-800-692-7462) to direct you to the correct office.

A common application form can be used to apply for cash, food stamps, and medical assistance. You can obtain a form from the local welfare office or go online to www.compass.state.pa.us.

If you apply online, you will still need to have a face to face interview and mail some documents and proof of income within days of applying. You should get an interview within 30 days from applying.

You should bring the following documents to the interview:

• Proof of your identity (i.e. driver's license, state I.D., library card or voter registration)
• Social Security cards for all persons in the household
• Proof of residence for all persons in the household (homeless persons need only a mailing address); You must live in the county where the application is made.
• Names and proof of age of all persons applying
• Proof of shelter costs, copies of rent or mortgage payments, insurance, tax receipts, utility bills
• Proof of income such as pay stubs, award letters, or other documents showing amount of income received
• Information on resources such as cash on hand, money in checking/savings account, real estate, motor vehicles
• If you choose to authorize a proxy to access your benefits, you must bring that person to the interview.

APPEAL PROCESS:

• The welfare system should make a decision within 30 days about your benefits.
• You should receive written notice of their decision, and if you are denied benefits you can appeal.
• Every form from welfare has an appeal form attached which should be filled out.
• File an appeal in writing within 10 days from the notice to make sure your benefits do not stop.
• You have 30 days to appeal cash benefits and 60 days to appeal for food stamps.

WELFARE OFFICES: