Tell Your Legislators and Gov. Wolf: Keep General Assistance

From the Pennsylvania Health Access Network (http://www.pahealthaccess.org):

As you probably know, General Assistance is at risk of being eliminated, again. This is a critical program that helps people with disabilities, people fleeing domestic violence, and people in treatment for substance use disorders meet their most basic needs and – often- stay in their homes and out of a crisis situation. Preserving GA is a moral issue!

Last week, PHAN, Project HOME, Just Harvest, POWER, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, and multiple Representatives and Senators rallied to protect GA in the Capitol. Check out the recording here and a photo below!

This was a powerful event, and we need to keep the momentum going! Please contact your legislators as well as Governor Wolf’s office NOW and urge them to protect GA and oppose on any bill that would eliminate GA.

Contact Governor Wolf’s Office: 717-787-2500

Call your state legislators: find their contact information – http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/index.cfm#address

NOTE: If you are in one of the following districts, your call could be particularly important!

• Senator Pat Browne (Lehigh Valley)
• Senator Tom Killion (Southeast)
• Senator Dan Laughlin (Erie)

HERE’S A SUGGESTED SCRIPT:

“Hello, my name is ____ and I’m a constituent of  _______’s. I’m calling on behalf of [congregation or organization]. I’m calling to encourage  ______ to preserve General Assistance, and oppose any legislation that would eliminate or cut it.

General Assistance is a small targeted program that provides about $200 per month for individuals who are disabled, in treatment for substance use disorder, or escaping domestic violence.  It is often the difference between someone being able to pay rent and wash clothes, or ending up in a more costly shelter or hospital. Thousands of vulnerable Pennsylvanians from across the state rely on this assistance to get back on their feet.  Please encourage  _______ to preserve General Assistance.”

Please keep in touch with any intel you gather by sending an e-mail to jennifer@pahealthaccess.org.