Common reasons why people do not qualify for Health Care

1. Not a U.S. citizen
An undocumented alien may only receive Medical Assistance to cover an emergency.

2. Income too high
There are several categories of Medical Assistance (also called Medicaid) eligibility, each with different income requirements. Some information about children, the elderly, and disabled can be seen by clicking on the link below; however, since the eligibility requirements are different for each program, it is best to contact the county assistance office for specific information.

3. Resources too high
The different categories of Medical Assistance have different resource requirements. NOTE: For health care, resources are not counted if you meet one of these exceptions: pregnant; child under age 21; have a dependent child under 21 living with you; you do not have a disability and are under age 65.

Resources include such things as: savings accounts, checking accounts, Certificates of Deposit, stocks, bonds, IRAs, life insurance, vehicles, burial spaces and burial funds, etc. Some information about Medical Assistance for children, the elderly, and disabled can be seen by clicking on the link below. However, since the eligibility requirements are different for each program, it is best to contact the county assistance office for specific information.

Click here to see some income limits for Health Care Coverage

Additional ways to qualify for SNAP (Food Stamps)
You might still be able to get SNAP benefits if your income is more than the limit and if you are elderly or disabled and have expenses, such as, unpaid or incurred medical bills, ongoing medical expenses, housing costs, or dependent care expenses.

Common reasons why people do not qualify for SNAP
- The household income is too high.
- There are income requirements for SNAP benefits.
Some information about SNAP benefits and the income limits may be seen by clicking the link below.

https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/SNAP.aspx

Additional ways to qualify for the NSLP
You might still be able to get NSLP benefits if:
- a nine-digit Food Stamp or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) case number is included on the completed Free and Reduced Price Meal Benefit Application
-the student is considered to be a migrant (the student must be registered with the Migrant Education Office in the Pennsylvania Department of Education)
-the student is considered homeless or a runaway (the student must be registered with Homeless/Runaway Liaison at their school)
-the household income meets the income guidelines (please contact the student's school for more information)

Common reasons why people do not qualify for the NSLP
The Free and Reduced Price Meal Benefit Application is not filled out completely and correctly.
The household income is too high. Please contact the student's school for the income limit.

Common reasons why people do not qualify for Cash Assistance
Does not meet one of the following requirements: pregnancy or needy family

Additional ways to qualify for Child Care
You might still be able to get Child Care Benefits if you have any of the following:
- a medical condition (including a disability)
- a chronic condition (such as arthritis)
- an ongoing special health care need
- an ongoing medication prescribed by a doctor
- received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Cash Assistance in the past 6 months
- unpaid/incurred medical bills or ongoing medical expenses
- paid medical bills this month and/or in the previous 3 months

You might still be able to get Child Care Benefits if you receive any of the following:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Cash Assistance
- Food Stamps

Common reasons why people do not qualify for Child Care
1. Not a U.S. Citizen or Legal Alien
If you are not a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien you may not receive Child Care benefits.
2. Income Too High
There are income requirements for Child Care. Some information about Child Care may be seen by clicking on the link below. However, since the requirements sometimes change, it is best to contact local Child Care Information Services for specific information.
Click here to see some income limits for the Child Care Works
3. Child Age Too High
Children are eligible for care from birth to the day prior to the date of the child's 13th birthday. There are exceptions for a child with a disability.  If there are no children in the household that fit these requirements, the household will be found not potentially eligible.
4. Disability Criteria Not Met
A two-parent or caretaker family may be eligible for subsidized child care if (1) one parent or caretaker is working; and (2) the other parent or caretaker is unable to work or participate in education or training, and (3) he/she is unable to care for the child for whom subsidy is requested due to a disability or the need to attend treatment for the disability.
5. Insufficient Work/Training Hours
Each Adult family member must work at least 20 hours a week or have an acceptable combination of work and training hours.
Please contact your local ELRC Office or call 1-877-4PA-KIDS for more information about the Child Care Works.

Additional ways to qualify for LIHEAP
Some households with other living arrangements could qualify for LIHEAP. If you rent a room in your home to a non-related person, the roomer could qualify for LIHEAP benefits individually. If your household contains members that are both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens, certain household members may qualify for LIHEAP benefits. If either of these situations applies to your household, we suggest that you complete an online application for LIHEAP benefits.”

Common reasons why people do not qualify for LIHEAP
Income too high - Please contact your local County Assistance Office for income limits or more specific information.
Not responsible for heat - Someone in the household must be responsible for paying the heating bill, or the heat must be included as an undesignated part of the household’s rent.

Additional ways to qualify for Home and Community Based Services
You might still be able to get the benefit of Home and Community Based Services if you have any unpaid/incurred medical bills or ongoing medical expenses

Common reasons why people do not qualify for Home and Community Based Services
Not medically eligible for home and community based services - The program office that will submit the application on behalf of an applicant must certify in writing that waiver services are needed so the applicant can remain in the community instead of a nursing facility.  
Resources are too high - Special resource limits apply to married individuals. Married individuals with resources greater than $8000 should contact the household’s local County Assistance Office for specific information.  NOTE: For HCBS, resources are not counted for individuals who are under 21 years old.