PathWays PA Policy Blog

The legislature was not in session last week, but that did not stop policy discussions.  The Department of Public Welfare announced in a press release that it has submitted its final plan to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to reinstate the asset test for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). The final proposal sets the limits at $5,500 for households (age 59 and under) and $9,000 for households with older Pennsylvanians (age 60 and above) or disabled individuals. The final levels are above federal thresholds and adjusted for inflation, making them significantly higher than the asset-testing levels enforced until 2008. Pennsylvania last had an asset test in 2008, when the limits in place were $2,000 for a household and $3,250 for a household with an elderly or disabled individual. P lease click here for more information .

From our friends at  USICH USICH is excited to announce a new interactive map that allows users to access state level data on homelessness and important contacts for each state and territory. Ending homelessness requires the coordination of many different federal and state partners. This map provides contact information for key partners on the ground in each state with the numbers of people experiencing homelessness in the four key populations targeted by the four goals of Opening Doors: chronic, Veterans, families, and overall homelessness. The map includes contact information for different programs at the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, and Education as well as state leads on homelessness and information on the state homelessness planning process. We hope you find the tool useful as we work together towards achieving the goals and objectives of Opening Doors. View the map at http://www.usich.gov/usich_resources/maps/overall_homelessn...

Last week PathWays PA Kicked Off our FREE tax services for this year.  Below are videos taken from the event. Lyn Kugel from PathWays PA discusses the FREE tax services and how you can contact us to set up an appointment. Philadelphia Councilman Bill Greenlee came out to support PathWays PA and inform the public about our services.

FREE TAX PREP FROM PATHWAYS PA PathWays PA’s Self Sufficiency team wants to be sure that you are aware of our free tax preparation service. Our basic tax preparation service is designed to provide FREE tax filing for households whose income does not exceed $50,000. We are able to serve tax filers who are disabled or who do not speak English as their first language. Our goal is help tax filers access their Earned Income and other tax credits.  In addition, this year, PathWays PA is offering Tax Counseling for the Elderly, featuring free tax preparation for Senior Citizens without the income constraint. We are offering free tax preparation service at a number of locations. Our locations and hours can be found here . If you or someone you know would like to have taxes prepared by the Self Sufficiency team, please call 610-543-5022 to schedule an appointment. And please remember to refer your friends and family to our free services!   Federal Policy Updates REA...

PathWays PA’s Self Sufficiency team wants to be sure that you are aware of our free tax preparation service. Our basic tax preparation service is designed to provide FREE tax filing for households whose income does not exceed $50,000. We also want to reach tax filers who are disabled or who do not speak English as their first language. Our goal is help tax filers access their Earned Income and other tax credits. In addition, this year, PathWays PA is offering Tax Counseling for the Elderly, featuring free tax preparation for Senior Citizens without the income constraint. PathWays PA is offering free tax preparation service at a number of locations. Our locations and hours are detailed below. If you or someone you know would like to have taxes prepared by the Self Sufficiency team, please call to schedule an appointment PathWays PA has stationary sites in Philadelphia and Delaware Counties Philadelphia Women in Transition 21 South 12th Street, 6th Floor Philadelphia, ...

Last week the state Supreme Court overturned the Legislature`s new maps for 2012 House and Senate races, leaving current districts in place until a five-member commission that designed the plan fixes the court`s concerns. The 4-3 decision gave a glimmer of hope to lawmakers opposed to the changes in the Legislative Reapportionment Commission`s plan. Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, one of those who appealed the commission`s maps, said the court decision would present an opportunity to argue for keeping the Brewster seat. Stephen Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R -Allegheny, said Turzai believes the plan that was submitted “met the standards, and conditions set forth in the Constitution” and in legal precedent. “Until we get an opinion, we can`t know what needs to be fixed but will respond accordingly,” Miskin said. Click here to read a Pittsburgh Tribune Review article for further details .

Did you know that there are a number of locations in our community where low- and moderate income people can get help filing their taxes at no cost? The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which is funded in part by the IRS, offers free tax help to people making less than approximately $50,000 a year. In addition to receiving much-needed tax help, families will also learn about important tax credits that they may be missing out on. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit especially for low-income working families. It helps workers keep more of the money they earned, which helps families pay their rent and buy groceries or new shoes for their kids. The amount of your EITC refund depends on things like income and family size, but many families receive rebates of a couple thousand dollars – make sure you don’t miss out on your refund! If you didn’t claim the EITC in the past, you may also be able to file amended claims and receive more of the money you’ve...