9.1 Public Benefits 101
Presenter: Sheila Forrester
Title: Family and Community Development Specialist
Organization: Capital Area Head Start
Co-Presenter: Bill McLaughlin, Paralegal, North Penn Legal Services
Co-Presenter: Peter Zurflieh, Attorney, Community Justice Project
Workshop Description
Access to public benefits for low-income Head Start families is critical, especially during a period of financial crisis, such as we have experienced with the COVID pandemic. This session will cover the nuts and bolts of eligibility for Medical Assistance (including MA Waivers), SNAP (food stamps), and the TANF cash assistance program, including how to apply. We will also talk about appeal rights and how to exercise them, as well as providing some tips on how to negotiate with the welfare office when benefits are denied or terminated. Since we sometimes see clients who are charged with overpayments, the session will include discussion of how to deal with overpayments of MA, SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, or subsidized child care.
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