Armstrong County Assistance Office

Eric Whelan

Intake Supervisor

1280 North Water Street

Kittanning, PA 16201

724-543-1651 or 800-424-5235

Services Available:

AVAILABLE SERVICES TO HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is sensitive to the needs of the Hurricane Katrina evacuees and has streamlined the following policies in order to meet their urgency:

1. Cash Assistance*
   1. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – families qualifying for this benefit are eligible for a lump sum 3 month cash grant under the special diversion program for evacuees.
   2. General Assistance – available for persons not qualifying for TANF provided financial and non-financial eligibility criteria are met.

      2.  Food Stamps*

 a.   Evacuees meeting certain criteria will qualify for an initial 1-month maximum food stamp benefit for their household size, provided they apply by 10/31/05.

 b.   Provided eligibility criteria are met, evacuee households will be certified for 4 months of benefits.

c.   Evacuees currently receiving food stamp benefits from their former resident state, who plan to return there, will be assisted in accessing those benefits.

3. Medicaid*
   1. Evacuees meeting certain eligibility criteria will be authorized medical assistance benefits even if they are recipients of medical assistance in their former state.
   2. The start date of benefits will be the date of arrival in Pennsylvania regardless of the date of the application.

*Verification requirements are waived or postponed for all of the programs listed above if evacuees are unable to provide the information.  Completion of an application form is required.

In addition to the above, evacuees may qualify for the following benefits:

1. Transportation allowance from a shelter to CareerLink office.
2. Transportation allowance to search for employment/attend training.
3. Transportation allowance for necessary medical care (primarily handled by Armstrong Co. Community Action Agency).
4. Childcare allowance to search for employment/attend training.
5. Car Repair/Car Purchase allowance to search for employment/attend training.
6. Moving allowance (from current residence) due to verified health hazard or to relocate to accept employment.
7. Emergency Shelter allowance to prevent eviction (from current residence), or provide temporary or permanent housing.
8. Hearing aid batteries or hearing aid repair allowance.