October 2020

Benefits Can Provide a Lifeline for Your Family

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lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”/launch” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”fade” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://cwfphilly.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/benefits-lifeline.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” 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CWF can help you find the benefits you qualify for.


Imagine being in an ocean or a lake and suddenly finding yourself unable to get to the shore. Thankfully, someone comes to your rescue and throws you a life-saving line, and you grab on and head safely back to land. No one would criticize you for taking hold of that lifeline.

Government assistance works the same way. It provides programs to help you get back on your feet the same way a life-saving line helps you get back on solid ground.

You wouldn’t be embarrassed to reach for the life-saving line, and you shouldn’t be embarrassed to accept assistance when you really need help.

There’s some worry that accepting help in government assistance programs marks us as lazy, unwilling to work, or trying to get something for nothing. It creates a stigma that prevents people from getting the help they truly need to get on the road to financial wellness. There will always be misinformed people who view those who receive government assistance in a negative light.

The US economy, battered by the pandemic, has made it very clear how quickly things can change. Unemployment is at more than 12% and many of those who are still fortunate enough to have jobs have been forced to take a pay cut.

In 2017, more than 400,000 Philadelphia residents lived below the poverty line. In neighboring Southern New Jersey, more than 882,000 were living below the poverty line in 2018. Yet, in 2016, only 73% of those eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were enrolled.

It’s not just the program benefits people are missing. Research shows that living in poverty can also impact health outcomes, employment prospects, exposure to crime, and access to quality schools.

Several programs are available to help people live better, healthier lives:

  • EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit)
    Federal tax credit for low to moderate-income working individuals.
  • LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
    Cash grants for low income households to help with heating bills and crisis grants for households in immediate danger of losing their heat.
  • LIS (Low Income Subsidy or Medicare Extra Help)
    A federal benefit designed to lower prescription copays for low-income individuals receiving Medicare.
  • Medicaid
    Free or low-cost health coverage for low-income Americans.
  • PACE (Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly)
    Low cost prescription medication to qualified Pennsylvania residents over age 65.
  • SNAP
    Help to buy food at grocery stores, supermarkets, and farmers’ markets.
  • WIC (Women and Infant Children)
    A federal program that provides nutrition services for children under five years of age and their caregiver for low-income families.

There are over 20 public benefits available, and by answering a few simple questions about your household and income, Benefits Launch from CWF and BDT will let you know which programs you can receive. A Campaign for Working Families Resource Specialist can help you find the benefits you need.


Don’t let the opinion of others—or your pride—get in the way of getting help to feed your family, getting the healthcare services you need, or keeping your family warm this winter. It only means that you need a lifeline to reach the shore—reach out and take it.

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Keep Your Family Warm & Safe This Winter with LIHEAP

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Snow days, sledding fun, and a winter wonderland may be something to look forward to for some, but not if you’re challenged to heat your home. Although this area doesn’t usually experience extreme winter lows, If the temperature dips low enough that it’s necessary to continuously heat your home, that can be expensive. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help, so you don’t have to choose between feeding your family or keep them warm.

How LIHEAP Works

Families living on low incomes can apply for a LIHEAP grant to help pay their heating bills. The grants range from $200 to $1,000, based on household size, income, and fuel type. This is a one-time cash grant sent directly to the utility company or fuel provider and becomes a credit on your bill. As a grant, the money does not have to be repaid.

Crisis Grants

If your household is in immediate danger of being without heat, you may also qualify for a crisis grant, including additional benefits. Emergency situations include:

    • Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced
    • Lack of fuel
    • The main heating source or second heating source (a source that is used to operate the main heating source or used if the main heating source is not working) has been completely shut-off
    • The danger of being without fuel (less than a 15 day supply)
    • The danger of having utility service terminated (you’ve received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days)

Who’s Eligible

    • You must meet income guidelines
    • You don’t have to be on public assistance
    • You don’t need to have unpaid heating bills
    • You can rent or own your home

LIHEAP Pennsylvania Income Requirements for 2020-2021

HOUSEHOLD
SIZE
INCOME
LIMIT
1$19,140
2$25,860
3$32,580
4$39,300
5$46,020
6$52,740
7$59,460
8$66,180
9$72,900
10$79,620

For every additional person, add $6,720


LIHEAP New Jersey Income Requirements for 2020-2021

HOUSEHOLD
SIZE
INCOME
LIMIT
1$25,524
2$34,476
3$43,440
4$52,404
5$61.356
6$70,320
7$79,284
8$88,236
9$97,200
10$106,164

How Can I Apply for LIHEAP?

CWF is currently helping Philadelphia Residents.

The easiest way to apply for LIHEAP is to schedule your phone screening here.
After you answer a few simple questions, you can speak with a Campaign for Working Families Resource Manager, who can help you through the application process.

Pennsylvania Residents Outside of Philadelphia:

There are three ways to apply for LIHEAP:

Online
Apply for benefits online using COMPASS, the online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for health and human service programs, and manage benefit information.

On Paper
You can print a paper application, complete and return it to your local county assistance office.

In Person
Visit your local county assistance office to fill out an application.

Once your application is reviewed, you will receive a written notice explaining your eligibility and the amount of assistance you will receive. Please allow 30 days for a response.

Keeping your home warm is not just about being uncomfortable, either. A cold house isn’t healthy. Although contrary to popular belief, a cold house won’t technically make you catch a cold or get the flu, but it does help viruses spread more quickly. The cold can bring on several  including hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot, and chilblains

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Help Lift Families Out of Poverty: Become a CWF Tax Time Volunteer

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It feels good to help people — and, who doesn’t want to feel good? Knowing that your help can change the trajectory of someone’s life is an amazing thing.

Like most nonprofit organizations, Campaign for Working Families (CWF) relies on volunteers to move its mission forward to break the cycle of poverty by providing free tax preparation, build savings, open bank accounts, review and repair their credit score and receive free financial coaching.

A growing body of research has shown that the act of volunteering doesn’t just help people in need and make you feel good — it provides a list of sometimes surprising benefits. Here are a few examples.

1. Volunteering your time makes you feel like you have more time.

To be clear, volunteering doesn’t somehow give you more than 24 hours in a day! But according to research, those who volunteer their time feel like they have more time.

2. Volunteering your love makes you feel more love.

Similarly, the same is true for love. Yes, love is a hard thing to measure. But researchers at the London School of Economics found the more people volunteered, the happier they were. Volunteering builds empathy, strengthens social bonds, and can make you smile—all factors that increase the feeling of love.

3. Volunteering can make you healthier.

Research has also demonstrated that doing volunteer work leads to better health. Volunteers have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower depression rates later in life than those who do not volunteer.

Here are some other interesting stats about the benefits of volunteering, courtesy of VolunteerMatch.org:

  • More than 68% of those who volunteered in the past year report that volunteering made them feel physically healthier.
  • 29% percent of volunteers who suffer from a chronic condition say volunteering has helped them manage their chronic illnesses.
  • 89% of volunteers agree that volunteering improved their sense of well-being.
  • 73% of volunteers feel that volunteering lowered their stress levels.
  • 92% percent of volunteers agree that volunteering enriches their sense of purpose in life.
  • More than 75% of volunteers who participate in service activities through work report that they feel better about their employer because of their involvement in their volunteer activities.

4. Volunteering can help you build your professional network.

You never know who you might meet as a volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to interact with an organization’s paid staff and meet other volunteers. If you make a good impression as a volunteer, you may be able to use those connections to advance your career or even find a job.

The good news is that you don’t need to be an experienced tax preparer or tax attorney to volunteer with us (though we certainly welcome and encourage folks with those skills)!

  • Become a CWF Volunteer Intake Specialist 

This role is perfect for individuals who genuinely like people, have good customer service skills, and are highly organized. Greeting the people we serve helps establish a welcoming atmosphere that helps put our customers at ease. Sign Up NOW!

  • Become a CWF Resource Builder

If your strengths include computer and excellent customer service skills, along with an eye for detail, you can be a tremendous asset to CWF and families by connecting them with public benefits, financial resources, and saving opportunities.

  • Become a CWF Tax Preparer

Individuals with good computer experience, attention to details, and strong customer service skills can link working families to eligible tax credits that can potentially save them thousands of dollars. Sign Up NOW!

Do you like to be out and about and meet new people? Volunteers who participate in the Campaign for Working Families Champions for Change help spread the word about our FREE tax prep and other financial wellness resources to help families get on the road to financial wellness.

Think about it. For just a few hours of your time, you could help working families gain financial freedom and confidence.

Campaign for Working Families volunteer tax preparers work to find you the refund you deserveThat’s powerful stuff! Sign up today!

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