Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration today issued the following statement on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) refusal to issue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments to all households without risk of retribution against Pennsylvania – an action that undermines a federal court order and forces Pennsylvania to choose between issuing additional benefits in line with the order and facing a potential $82 million monthly recoupment should the USDA prevail on appeal.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) permits states to extend emergency SNAP allotments to current SNAP recipients due to the ongoing crisis. However, the USDA issued guidance to states on March 20, 2020 specifying that emergency allotments authorized under the FFCRA should only be issued to households not currently receiving the maximum monthly allotment – excluding 40 percent of SNAP households in Pennsylvania.

In September, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania issued a preliminary injunction in Gilliam v. USDA, ruling that the USDA misinterpreted the law to mean that any household that was already receiving the maximum monthly allotment for its size would not receive an additional emergency allotment. Following the ruling, the USDA sought clarification regarding the ruling, delaying Pennsylvania’s request for additional emergency allotments. After being reprimanded by the court for not promptly complying with the preliminary injunction, the USDA indicated that they would extend emergency allotments to SNAP recipients currently receiving the monthly maximum benefit, but that if their appeal was successful, they would recoup funds issued from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which would total about $82 million per month.

The full statement:

“No one should be barred from access to food at any time, but especially during a pandemic when healthy foods are critical to maintaining good health and well-being,” Governor Tom Wolf said. “What the USDA is doing is mean-spirited, dangerous and just plain wrong. Washington needs to stop playing politics with people’s lives.”

“It’s no secret that Pennsylvania and many other states around the country are in difficult financial positions due to COVID-19 – situations that are exacerbated by an unwillingness of the federal government to pass a stimulus package to provide states some relief.  Holding the threat of recoupment over the head of the commonwealth is nothing more than a strong-arm tactic to prevent this much-needed aid from going out to households across Pennsylvania and discourage other states from pursuing this aid for their residents.

“The Trump Administration’s refusal to issue benefits without threat of seeking recoupment is a vindictive unwillingness to follow the law and help some of the lowest-income Pennsylvanians and Americans around the country during what has and will continue to be a tumultuous period. For most of the last six months, Pennsylvania has urged the USDA to follow the Families First Coronavirus Response Act as it is written and extend additional support to all SNAP recipients as authorized under the law. They have been unwilling to do this, and now that they are being forced to correct their misinterpretation, the USDA is putting Pennsylvania in an incredibly difficult position as we try to issue additional support to Pennsylvanians with low or no income.

“This aid was intended to help individuals and families not have to go without food and ease the burden on an over-extended charitable food network. This will also directly support local food retailers, grocers, and agricultural producers around Pennsylvania who accept SNAP benefits – many of whom are small businesses – who are also feeling the impact of this period of economic insecurity. As the nation continues to face the COVID-19 pandemic that is only accelerating, access to essential needs like food is more important than ever to help keep people healthy, mitigate co-occurring health risks, and limit trips out of the home throughout the dangerous flu season and winter months.

“These political games only hurt the people who need this relief most. I urge the USDA to abandon this needless threat so Pennsylvania can issue these benefits to families who have gone without additional support for the last six months without further exacerbating our budgetary situation. Our SNAP families are in dire straits and many are still struggling to survive this pandemic because of the lack of further relief and support from the federal government. It is our duty and responsibility as public servants to provide the services and benefits needed to come through this pandemic and recover once the pandemic has ended.”

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Human Services (DHS) is warning of a possible scam concerning Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits and reminding Pennsylvanians to be skeptical of unsolicited or random calls or text messages about public-assistance programs – especially when the calls or text messages solicit personal information, such as Social Security numbers.

“We are all living through difficult times, and unfortunately, there are people who will try to take advantage of others who may need help meeting essential needs. Be mindful, stay aware, and if you think something looks off, it probably is,” DHS Secretary Teresa Miller said.

DHS is investigating a report of individuals receiving calls with pre-recorded messages advising them to expedite their P-EBT benefits issuance by providing their Social Security number and case record number. In the message, the speaker claims to be from a County Assistance Office (CAO).

DHS and other government agencies do not ask for information about P-EBT, SNAP or any other public-assistance programs via unsolicited or random calls or texts, and Pennsylvanians should not reply to such a call or text or share any personal information if they are contacted in this way. If you or anyone you work with receive unsolicited or random calls or text messages telling you that you qualify for assistance and then asking for personal information, it is most likely a scam. Do not respond. Delete the message so you do not get caught in an identity theft scam.

Pennsylvanians who have questions about whether a call, text, letter, or other communication is legitimate should contact DHS’ Office of Income Maintenance. Clients in Philadelphia should call the Philadelphia Customer Service Center at 215-560-7226. Clients in all other counties can call the Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930.

The federal government authorized P-EBT in the spring to allow states to assist families with school-age children who qualified for free-and-reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program – and who lost their easy access to breakfast and lunch at school as a result of the school closures related to COVID-19 earlier this year.

DHS began distributing P-EBT benefits to Pennsylvania families in late May. To date, more than $360 million has been distributed to about 680,000 households to help families feed nearly 1 million children.  Families received about $370 per child.

DHS administered this program in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and schools across the commonwealth. The program was recently reauthorized by the federal government for the 2020-2021 school year. Pennsylvania and other states are currently awaiting guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture to begin the program for the current school year.

Additional information about Pennsylvania’s P-EBT can be found here.

If Pennsylvanians need help purchasing or affording food for themselves and their families, help may also be available through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP helps nearly 1.9 million Pennsylvanians by providing assistance each month for groceries, helping households purchase enough food to avoid going hungry. SNAP is our country’s most important and most impactful anti-hunger program. For every meal provided by a Feeding Pennsylvania food bank, SNAP provides nine. While SNAP is intended to be a supplemental program, during a pandemic and historic unemployment, resources are strained, particularly for our lowest income Pennsylvanians.

Applications for the SNAP and other public assistance programs can be submitted online at www.compass.state.pa.us. All Pennsylvanians experiencing financial hardships due to the pandemic, a lost job, or a change in income are strongly encouraged to apply and see if they qualify for assistance with food, health care, and other essential needs.

For more information about food assistance resources for people around Pennsylvania impacted by COVID-19 and the accompanying economic insecurity, visit the Department of Agriculture’s food security guide.

Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration and the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health today announced 10 communities and agencies will receive grants totaling $155,000 to assist with the development of plans and policies to increase physical activity options in their communities through the WalkWorks program. This program has also benefitted from its close partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and its generous funding of two of the grant recipients.

“Having access to areas for recreation, such as walking and biking, is essential in keeping Pennsylvanians healthy – especially, during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Physical activity can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and premature death. Being active also helps prevent weight gain, reduce depression and improve cognitive function in older adults. We are proud of this collaboration and the grant recipients who will help support the efforts to encourage safe physical activity in their communities across Pennsylvania.”

“During these most trying times our state and local parks are seeing an unprecedented crush of visitors, most intent on walking, hiking or biking,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “Now more than ever people need that access to healthy physical activity, which is exactly what this partnership embraces.”

With this funding, the grant recipients can now execute the plans they submitted which emphasize new or improved pedestrian, bicycle and/or transit systems establishing activity-friendly routes that connect residents and visitors to everyday destinations. The communities or agencies receiving the grant awards are:

• City of Bethlehem, Northampton County                     $20,000
• Chester County                                                              $5,000
• East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County              $20,000
• Forest Hills Borough, Allegheny County                      $20,000
• Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County          $20,000
• Marietta Borough, Lancaster County                           $20,000
• Quakertown Alive!, Bucks County                                $20,000
• South Middleton Township, Cumberland County        $10,000
• Union City Borough, Erie County                                 $15,000
• Warren City, Warren County                                         $5,000

The grants will help assist in community planning and design to incorporate more opportunities for walking, cycling and public transit while providing more healthy options for exercise in these communities. This shift in planning requires a coordinated effort to link transportation policy and public health, which these grants support.

“Activity-friendly routes connected to everyday destinations can make it safe and convenient for people of all abilities to walk, bike or wheel. Planning healthy, compact, complete communities is needed to support active transportation,” said Carol L. Reichbaum, M.S.L., M.S.P.A., director of WalkWorks at the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Public Health Practice. “Doing so will not only lead to improved health, it will also address other major concerns, including congestion, economic vitality and sustainability. While community design has long been the domain of land use and transportation planners, it has become increasingly obvious that our communities will benefit from greater collaboration with strategic partners such as public health practitioners, municipal planning entities, advocacy organizations and others to create built environments that better support health.”

The grant recipients were selected from a competitive pool of high-quality applicants by a multidisciplinary review team that included representatives from DOH, University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Public Health Practice, PennDOT, DCNR, the Department of Community & Economic Development and the Pennsylvania Local Technical Assistance Program.

The WalkWorks program is committed to increasing walking, establishing activity-friendly routes and expanding walkable communities across Pennsylvania. Funding for WalkWorks is provided by DOH through the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant and the State Physical Activity and Nutrition Grant, both from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To find a local walking route or find more information about the program, visit www.pawalkworks.com or follow WalkWorks on Twitter.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf and Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman commended the recent work of the General Assembly, particularly the House Insurance Committee and the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, on two pieces of bipartisan legislation to strengthen and clarify mental health parity analysis and enforcement.

“Pennsylvania leads the nation in mental health parity enforcement and this legislation will strengthen our already robust efforts,” said Gov. Wolf. “These bills represent collaboration among all parties that will result in an even better understanding of mental health parity and, therefore, better access for Pennsylvanians who seek help.”

The two measures, House Bills 1439 and1696, sponsored by Representative Aaron Kaufer and Representative Thomas Murt respectively, were signed by Gov. Wolf on October 29 as Acts 89 and 92. These laws require health insurers that want to offer comprehensive health insurance coverage in Pennsylvania to verify that they have completed and fully documented analyses of their efforts to provide mental health and substance-use disorder coverage that is comparable to physical health services with respect to cost sharing, in- and out-of-network coverage, and other treatment limits. In addition to the verified analyses, insurers must make that documentation available to the Insurance Department, upon request, to demonstrate compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). Documentation must also be available to policyholders and providers upon request.

The new requirements are one element of Gov. Wolf’s multi-agency effort and anti-stigma campaign, Reach Out PA: Your Mental Health Matters. The campaign is dedicated to expanding resources and the state’s comprehensive support of mental health and related health care priorities in Pennsylvania. Reach Out PA, in partnership with several state agencies, has conducted both targeted and broad outreach to consumers and stakeholders regarding barriers to mental health and substance use disorder treatment. These agencies have coordinated over the past several months to provide support for providers, practitioners, consumer advocates, and others under the Wolf Administration’s mental health and substance use disorder treatment priorities. New resources from these efforts will be made available this winter.

In recent years, the Insurance Department has identified, through market conduct examinations, significant compliance concerns relating to mental health parity.

“Our exams and investigations, as well as analysis of consumer complaints, indicate that mental health parity noncompliance persists,” said Altman. “We appreciate the legislative leaders that worked with PID, insurers, and consumer advocates to help strengthen Pennsylvania’s parity framework through this legislation. The legislation will result in greater compliance across insurance companies and improve consumer access to understandable coverage information.”

A critical part of easing access to mental health services is establishing that state and federal parity laws, and their consumer protections, are being followed by all insurance providers operating within the commonwealth. Uniformity in definitions and reporting is important to ensuring all parties are on the same page. This type of transparency will provide those struggling with mental health or substance-use disorders continued access to the care they need.

Consumers with questions or concerns about their insurance plan’s compliance with parity laws can contact the Insurance Department’s Consumer Hotline at 1-877-881-6388.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf signed several bills into law today, including House bills 440, 1439, 1696 and 1984, and Senate Bill 1076, which focus, respectively, on expanding the state’s Clean Slate law, and supporting mental health parity, sexual assault survivors, and veterans.

House Bill 440 expands on the state’s historic Clean Slate law by removing an obligation to pay any outstanding court-ordered financial obligations before eligible cases can be sealed. Any restitution owed for convictions committed is not waived. The bill also requires that when a person receives a pardon, that record is automatically sealed and if they receive a not-guilty verdict the record is expunged.

“House Bill 440 furthers Pennsylvania’s role as a national model for commonsense, bipartisan criminal justice reforms by removing a significant barrier from obtaining a clean slate due to failure to be able to pay court costs,” Gov. Wolf said. “I believe in second chances and I am pleased that our legislature feels the same way and demonstrated it by passing this legislation.”

“Today once again proves that real criminal justice reform is possible,” House Democratic Caucus Chair Joanna E. McClinton said. “When I first introduced this bill five years ago, I knew it could change lives. Now, thanks to Governor Wolf and my colleagues in the House and Senate, countless Pennsylvanians will be able to move on with their lives after being found innocent or pardoned of a crime.”

In addition to pioneering an automated sealing process, Clean Slate also expanded the number of misdemeanor convictions that can be sealed after a petition is filed in court. Sealed records are not available to the public, helping people access employment, housing and education. Clean Slate is allowing thousands of Pennsylvanians to move past their old, minor criminal records, and even more people can take advantage of this second chance with the passage of HB440.

To date, almost 35 million cases have been automatically sealed without the cost of filing petitions in court. That’s more than half of the charges in the court’s database.

House bills 1439 and 1696 require health insurers that want to offer comprehensive health insurance coverage in Pennsylvania to verify that they have completed and fully documented analyses of their efforts to provide mental health and substance-use coverage that is comparable to physical health services with respect to cost sharing, in- and out-of-network coverage, and other treatment limits.

Insurers must also make that documentation available to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, upon request, to demonstrate compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). Documentation must also be available to policyholders and providers upon request.

The new requirements are one element of Gov. Wolf’s multi-agency effort and anti-stigma campaign, Reach Out PA: Your Mental Health Matters dedicated to expanding resources and the state’s comprehensive support of mental health and related health care priorities in Pennsylvania.

“We must continue to do all that we can to support the mental health needs of all Pennsylvanians,” Gov. Wolf said. “Mental health care is health care and we must not treat it any differently than any physical health care need.”

House Bill 1984 provides safety, protection and stability for survivors of rape or incest, and their children who are conceived as a result of the offense. The legislature passed this bill unanimously.

HB 1984 makes it possible for the victim of rape or sexual assault to terminate the parental rights of the person who committed rape or sexual assault that resulted in the birth of a child.

“I will always steadfastly support the rights of victims of sexual assault,” Gov. Wolf said. “This bill can do even more to help ease pain and support survivors of these heinous crimes.”

Senate Bill 1076 amends Title 51 (Military Affairs), in military leave of absence, further providing for military family relief assistance.

“Support for our veterans and their families is vital and is the least we can do for their dedicated service to our commonwealth and country,” Gov. Wolf said. “This bill supports our veterans by providing any needed financial help during these especially tough times.”

“The Military Family Relief Assistance Program has proven successful in providing financial security to veterans and their families during a time of temporary hardship,” said Sen. Pam Iovino (D – Allegheny & Washington), a 23-year Navy veteran who introduced Senate Bill 1076. “I appreciate the Governor’s and the General Assembly’s unanimous support to indefinitely extend this important program. The majority of veterans are thriving and playing important roles in their community by applying the skills they gained in our armed forces. But veterans can also face unique challenges as a result of their service to our nation, and it’s important that the Military Family Relief Assistance Program be there for them.”

Other bills signed by the governor today include the following:

House Bill 81, which provides for certification of central service technicians; imposes continuing education requirements; provides for duties of health care facilities and the Department of Health; and regulates the practice of surgical technology and surgical technologists.

House Bill 86, which amends the act granting the Governor of the Commonwealth the sole authority for regulating the display of the flag of the United States from any public ground or building, further providing for the display of the official POW/MIA flag.

House Bill 375, which amends the State Lottery Law, in pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly, further providing for definitions.

House Bill 703, which amends the Public School Code, in school directors, providing for publication of e-mail addresses for school directors; and, in charter schools, for publication of e-mail addresses for board of trustees & for applicability.

House Bill 716, which amends the Administrative Code, in powers & duties of the Dept. of Labor & Industry, its departmental administrative & advisory boards & officers, for task force on misclassification of employees.

House Bill 885, which amends the Public Works Contractors’ Bond Law, further providing for duty of prime contractor to provide financial security in certain contracts involving public works and public improvements.

House Bill 1032, which amends the Real Estate Appraisers Certification Act, further providing for definitions and for State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers.

House Bill 1033, which amends the Assessors Certification Act, providing for definitions and for duties of board; repealing provisions relating to qualifications; providing for certification; for employees of political subdivisions; and/or disciplinary measures.

House Bill 1584, which amends Title 30 (Fish), in Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, repealing provisions relating to waterways patrolmen and employees.

House Bill 1673, which amends Title 35 (Health and Safety), in commonwealth services, for scope of subchapter, legislative findings and declaration of purpose, for definitions, for assistance to volunteer fire companies, ambulance service and rescue squads, for loan fund.

House Bill 1838, which amends Titles 35 (Health and Safety) and 75 (Vehicles), in emergency medical services system, further providing for support of emergency medical services; for EMS costs; and for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition.

House Bill 1961, which amends Title 71 (State Government), in state employees’ defined contribution plan, for individual investment accounts, for participant contributions, for employer defined contributions, for vesting, for powers and duties of board.

House Bill 2073, which amends the First Class Township Code, for taxation and legal advertising, relating to elections and population ascertainment, the construction of boundaries, public official salaries and pensions, the filling of vacancies, repealing provisions.

House Bill 2370, which amends Title 57 (Notaries Public), in Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, for authority to perform notarial act, for notarial act performed for remotely located individual & for notification regarding performance of notarial act.

House Bill 2438, which amends Title 68 (Real and Personal Property), providing for broadband services.

House Bill 2561, which amends the Optometric Practice and Licensure Act, further providing for definitions, for approval of drugs, for exemptions and exceptions and for violations and penalties.

Senate Bill 273, which amends the Community-Based Health Care Act, in health care assistance, further providing for Community-Based Health Care program.

Senate Bill 940, which provides for filing and recording by municipalities of condemnation orders and for statements of vacated condemnation orders.

Senate Bill 952, which amends Title 51 (Military Affairs), in veterans’ preference, repealing provisions relating to soldier defined, for purpose and definition, repealing provisions relating to credits in civil service exams, for preference in appointment or promotion.

Senate Bill 995, which amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in general provisions, further providing for definitions.

Senate Bill 1281, which amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in licensing of drivers, for schedule of convictions & points; in rules of the road, for duty of driver in emergency response areas; and in offenses, for homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault by vehicle.