Katie Blackley / 90.5 WESA
Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians rely on the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in order to keep food on the table.
But, emergency federal funding that supports the program could be at risk if the state ends its COVID-19 disaster declaration.
In January alone, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services delivered more than $122 Million in SNAP benefits to families.
“All of that goes away if the legislature uses a new authority to terminate the disaster declaration,” Teresa Miller, DHS secretary, says.
Without the declaration the program, formerly known as food stamps, she says the state would not be eligible for emergency federal funding.
CHRIS MORELLI cmorelli@lockhaven.com
TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS
The Brockerhoff House in Bellefonte will receive a historic âtablet.â The building has been a part of Bellefonte since the 1800s. Once a hotel, it is a residential facility today.
BELLEFONTE Bellefonte is host to a variety of historic sites. On Tuesday, the Centre County commissioners announced that one site will be getting a special designation.
The Brockerhoff House, located at 105 S. Allegheny St. in Bellefonte, will receive a historic “tablet” commemorating the location. The cost of the tablet will be a mere $280, which will be funded by the county.
MEDIAÂ â Members of Prevent Child Abuse PA joined Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer on the county courthouse lawn Wednesday morning to recognize April as Child Abuse Protection Month.
âWhen I became district attorney a year ago, one of my priorities was to make sure that we better and more fully and holistically prosecute the abuse of our children,â said Stollsteimer. âWe have created the first Delaware County Child Abuse and Exploitation Task Force in our office, we have recruited some of the best and brightest municipal police officers from around the county, we have provided training to them, and we are fighting every day to try to make sure that we bring anybody who commits abuse of our children to justice.â
LIHEAP grants still available for locals struggling with heating costs
From Staff Reports
Peoples Gas customers can still apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
LIHEAP, a federally funded program by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, offers one-time grants to income-eligible utility customers that need help with heating costs. For the 2020-2021 winter heating season, the minimum LIHEAP grant is $200 which, if granted, will be applied directly to customers heating bills.
Those who are in danger of losing their heat or have an annual income of up to $19,140 or a family income up to $39,300 for a family of four are eligible to apply and can do so online through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Service website (COMPASS) at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are due by April 30.
Laura Benshoff / WHYY
The federal government has proposed more bed space in the Berks Family Residential Center a detail missing from one commissioner’s public statement last week about the center’s future.
Berks County Commissioner Chair Christian Leinbach said the proposal’s “bottom line” was the county’s willingness to continue detaining families or just women migrants. But he didn’t mention the proposal for more beds, and the possibility of more detainees.
ICE’s proposal is titled “White Paper Proposal for Additional Bed Space at the BCRC.” The 96-bed facility is also known as the Berks County Residential Center, or the BCRC.