Impact of Federal and State Budget Impasses

Dear United Way Friends and Supporters,

The collective impasses of the federal and state budgets are directly impacting the basic needs of our friends and neighbors. To help support our community, United Way of the Capital Region is sharing the following updates, resources, and a call to action to help local families.

UPDATE: As of Monday, October 27, we understand:

• The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will not be available until at least December 3, contingent on federal funds being available at that time. This means applications will not be accepted until the season opens.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be issued for November. The SNAP program provides food benefits for low-income individuals and families.
• The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program has enough resources to continue until November 9 and will then be interrupted.
• Pennie (Pennsylvania’s Health Care Marketplace) will be quoting insurance premiums without the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit beginning November 1.

RESOURCES: If you or someone you know needs help, please contact:

• Pennsylvania 211, a non-emergency resource line at www.pa211.org/fedsd/ or simply dial 211 on your phone.

CALL TO ACTION: Donate food and share your voice.

• United Way of the Capital Region is in contact with our local food providers. All are experiencing significant increases in demand for food, and many are holding food drives. Here are two of the many options taking place in our region:
  • Central Pennsylvania Food Bank – Find a local food pantry or donate food to support their large-scale efforts in our region – www.centralpafoodbank.org/givefood/
  • New Hope Ministries is holding food drives on November 7 and 8. For more information and a list of the most needed food visit nhm-pa.org/nhm/food-for-hope/.
• Thousands of households across the Capital Region will soon face uncertainty about how to put food on the table. Your voice matters. Contact your federal and state representatives and urge passage of these budgets.

Thank you for your continued support and compassion for our community. United is the Way we find strength and share hope for all families.

Sincerely,
Tim Fatzinger
President & CEO
United Way of the Capital Region