Pennsylvania Financial Help
Pennsylvania Financial Help, Food, Utilities & Court-Related Costs
A statewide directory of public benefits and community organizations that may help with basic needs, rent and utilities, food, and budgeting support. Programs include Pennsylvania’s COMPASS system, county assistance offices, and regional food banks. OACRA does not pay bills or apply for benefits for you — we help you find the right office to contact and questions to ask.
Philadelphia & Southeast Pennsylvania
Counties: Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester
✅ Verified Public benefits & core assistance
COMPASS – Apply for PA Benefits Online
State portal to apply for SNAP (food stamps), cash assistance, Medicaid, LIHEAP (heating help), and other benefits.
State portal to apply for SNAP (food stamps), cash assistance, Medicaid, LIHEAP (heating help), and other benefits.
Statewide
Philadelphia County Assistance Offices (CAO)
Local offices that process applications for SNAP, cash assistance, and LIHEAP for Philadelphia residents.
Local offices that process applications for SNAP, cash assistance, and LIHEAP for Philadelphia residents.
Ask for appointment letters or verifications you can keep for your records.
Philadelphia
SNAP (Food Benefits)
Helps with monthly food costs for eligible households. Can be applied for online or at the CAO.
Helps with monthly food costs for eligible households. Can be applied for online or at the CAO.
Report address and household changes to avoid overpayments.
SE PA
🛠️ Eligible Community financial & food support
Regional Food Banks & Pantries
Food banks and partner pantries offer groceries, produce, and sometimes benefit-enrollment help.
Food banks and partner pantries offer groceries, produce, and sometimes benefit-enrollment help.
Good starting point when money is tight and you need food quickly.
SE PA
Financial Counseling & Legal Aid Clinics
Some nonprofits help with budgeting, debt collections, and license-suspension issues that indirectly affect supervision.
Some nonprofits help with budgeting, debt collections, and license-suspension issues that indirectly affect supervision.
Ask specifically about court debt, tickets, and child support questions.
SE PA
Pittsburgh & Southwest Pennsylvania
Counties: Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette, Beaver
✅ Verified County assistance & benefits
County Assistance Offices (SW PA)
Allegheny and surrounding counties have CAO locations handling benefits and emergency aid applications.
Allegheny and surrounding counties have CAO locations handling benefits and emergency aid applications.
Bring ID, proof of address, and any court payment orders you want to discuss.
SW PA
LIHEAP – Heating & Utility Help
Seasonal program that can help with heating bills and some emergency utility shutoff notices.
Seasonal program that can help with heating bills and some emergency utility shutoff notices.
Check open/close dates for each LIHEAP season.
Statewide
🛠️ Eligible Food banks & small grants
Regional Food Banks & Meal Programs
Provide food boxes, mobile pantries, and meals that can stabilize a tight budget.
Provide food boxes, mobile pantries, and meals that can stabilize a tight budget.
Use food support so you can prioritize restitution and supervision costs.
SW PA
Community Action Agencies
May offer limited funds for rent, utilities, or security deposits when money is available.
May offer limited funds for rent, utilities, or security deposits when money is available.
Funds come and go quickly; call early in the month.
SW PA
Central Pennsylvania / Harrisburg Region
Counties: Dauphin, Cumberland, York, Lancaster, Lebanon
✅ Verified County assistance & benefits
County Assistance Offices (Central PA)
Administer SNAP, cash assistance, and emergency aid for Central PA counties.
Administer SNAP, cash assistance, and emergency aid for Central PA counties.
Coordinate mandatory appointments with your reporting schedule.
Central PA
🛠️ Eligible Food, clothing & budgeting help
Central PA Food & Clothing Programs
Food banks, clothing closets, and church-based programs reduce the pressure of buying basics.
Food banks, clothing closets, and church-based programs reduce the pressure of buying basics.
Ask if they can connect you with budgeting or financial-literacy classes.
Central PA
Northeast Pennsylvania & Lehigh Valley
Counties: Lehigh, Northampton, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Monroe
✅ Verified County & state programs
County Assistance Offices (NEPA & Lehigh Valley)
Handle applications for SNAP, cash aid, and LIHEAP in NEPA and Lehigh Valley counties.
Handle applications for SNAP, cash aid, and LIHEAP in NEPA and Lehigh Valley counties.
Keep copies of approvals or denials for your own records.
NEPA & Lehigh Valley
🛠️ Eligible Food banks & community action
Regional Food Banks & Pantries (NEPA / Lehigh)
Provide groceries and sometimes referrals to rent or utility assistance.
Provide groceries and sometimes referrals to rent or utility assistance.
Search by ZIP code on their websites or call 2-1-1 for the closest pantry.
NEPA & Lehigh Valley
Community Action Agencies
May offer small emergency grants or security-deposit help when funding is available.
May offer small emergency grants or security-deposit help when funding is available.
Ask if they can provide written proof that you sought budgeting or financial help.
NEPA & Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania Statewide & Online
Covers: statewide programs & online tools
✅ Verified Statewide info & benefits
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Provides information about statewide benefit programs, eligibility, and how to apply or appeal.
Provides information about statewide benefit programs, eligibility, and how to apply or appeal.
Use their site to understand rules around income, reporting, and overpayments.
Statewide
2-1-1 Pennsylvania – Financial Assistance Referrals
Connects you to local rent, utility, and emergency support programs by ZIP code.
Connects you to local rent, utility, and emergency support programs by ZIP code.
Tell them if you’re on supervision so they understand why times and documentation matter.
Statewide
🛠️ Eligible Budgeting tools & community classes
Budgeting & Financial-Literacy Programs
Many nonprofits and banks offer free budgeting workshops, online classes, or credit counseling.
Many nonprofits and banks offer free budgeting workshops, online classes, or credit counseling.
Certificates from these classes may look positive when you request early termination.
Online / Statewide
Important: Being approved for public benefits does not cancel fines, restitution, or supervision costs. Use these programs to stabilize basics so you can stay in compliance.
Before relying on financial help: confirm with your officer how any lump-sum payments, settlements, or retroactive benefits might affect restitution, court costs, or child support. Keep copies of all benefit letters, decisions, and payment histories.
Legal disclaimer: OACRA is not a benefits office, does not manage your case, and cannot guarantee that any program will approve your application or pay a specific bill.
