Program to help offset lost wages

One-time payment targets low-income families

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services announced Friday that it is launching the Emergency Assistance Program to help low-income families who lost wages because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Families who qualify for the program will receive a one-time payment to assist them in meeting their basic needs and secure a more stable financial footing.

“The economic disruption caused by this pandemic is affecting families and communities across Pennsylvania in different ways,” DHS Secretary Teresa Miller said. “For many low-income Pennsylvanians, especially those awaiting unemployment compensation, this disruption could be completely destabilizing.

“The Wolf Administration is committed to helping families weather this uncertain period, and the Emergency Assistance Program will be another resource to help families avoid reaching even more difficult situations as we recover from this crisis together.”

The program will be open to families with a child under the age of 18 or a woman who is pregnant. In order to qualify, families must have at least one person in the household who was employed as of March 11 and experienced an hour or wage reduction of at least 50% for at least two weeks or lost employment entirely due to the public health crisis.

To be eligible, families must meet an income limit of 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and have no more than $1,000 in savings.

For a family of four that would equate to a monthly household income of $3,275 and an annual income of $39,300. A family of four living in Berks County would get a one-time payment of $994 through the program.

Funds will be issued through an electronic benefit transfer card.

An application for the program can be found at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications will be accepted Monday through June 12.

Teresa Miller