Good News

State Veterans’ Homes Week

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), honored their residents, family members and staff with week-long festivities during the annual State Veterans’ Homes Week June 11-17, 2023! I had the pleasure of celebrating the 25th anniversary of Pittsburgh’s Southwest Veterans Center in May where we recognized the service of some of their long-time employees. 

During State Veterans’ Homes Week residents enjoy a variety of activities and entertainment like carnivals, musical and comedy performances, barbecues and picnics, military ceremonies, and petting zoos. These activities benefit the residents by increasing social connections and promoting a more active lifestyle. Each home’s activities are paid for by their own Resident Welfare Fund. You can donate to these funds online at www.donate.dmva.pa.gov and give back to those who have given our country so much! 

REAL ID Update!

Last week the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that the requirement for proof of Social Security Number for REAL ID products will expand to include additional documents! This will make getting a REAL ID a little easier before the May 7, 2025 deadline. PennDOT now accepts the following documents as proofs:

• A Social Security Card;
• A W-2 form;
• A SSA-1099 form;
• A non-SSA-1099 form; or
• A pay stub with the applicant’s name and full Social Security Number on it.

Requirements for name as it appears on proof of Social Security Number are unchanged. 

No one is required to have a REAL ID Pennsylvania driver’s license or ID card, but federally acceptable REAL ID will be required after May 7, 2025 to fly domestically or to enter federal facilities that require it. 

Acceptable Forms of Real ID:

• REAL ID driver's license or ID card
• Valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card
• Military ID

Documents you need to add REAL ID to your PA driver’s license or PA ID card:

• Proof of Identity: Examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal or a valid, unexpired, U.S. Passport;
• Proof of Social Security Number: A Social Security Card, W-2 form, SSA-1099 form, non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub with the applicant’s name and SSN on it;
• Two Proofs of Current, Physical PA Address: Examples include a current, unexpired PA driver's license or identification card, vehicle registration or a utility bill with the same name and address; and 
• Proof of all Legal Name Changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): Examples include a certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name or amended birth certificate issued by the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics. NOTE: If the current name is the same as what is reflected on proof of identity document (usually birth certificate or passport), a customer does not need to show proof of legal name changes.

For complete information on Pennsylvania REAL ID go to REAL ID (pa.gov). 

If you have additional questions or need help ordering, changing, or checking your documents before you apply for REAL ID, our office is here to assist!  Call us at 412-364-0469 (Ross) or 724-224-2131 (Harrison) or email us at [email protected].  

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Deadline Extended!

The deadline for older and disabled Pennsylvanians to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2022 has been extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2023!

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and gives renters and homeowners rebates of up to $975, if: 

• Your income is under $35,000 (homeowners) or $15,000 (renters).
  • Note: Half of Social Security income is excluded! 

AND 

• You are age 65 or over as of Dec. 31, 2022, OR
• You are a widow/widower aged 50 or over, OR 
• You are disabled and age 18 or over.

Claimants can file rebate applications online at myPATH - 2022 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application. Paper applications are still accepted. For more information on the program click here. 

If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment to have us file your application online for you, call us at 412-364-0469 (Ross) or 724-224-2131 (Harrison) or email us at [email protected]. We are here to help!

LIHEAP Crisis Cooling Program

This summer the PA Department of Community & Economic Development is running a LIHEAP Crisis Cooling pilot program. This program uses a portion of the money for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to provide installation, repair, or replacement of air conditioning units to low-income Pennsylvanians. Prior to this pilot, LIHEAP funds were only available for heating assistance and if the pilot is successful, Crisis Cooling assistance could become a permanent LIHEAP program!

To be eligible for the LIHEAP Crisis Cooling Pilot in Allegheny County, a renter or homeowner must have received LIHEAP Crisis assistance or weatherization assistance in the past 12 months. 

The pilot is administered by Action Housing, Allegheny County’s weatherization agency for the pilot. Action Housing has already sent their LIHEAP Crisis and weatherization assistance recipients letters asking them to participate, but if you participated in either of these programs with another agency, you should call Action Housing at 412-281-2102 to enroll. Applications will be accepted through August 18, 2023.

New Native American Exhibit at Harrison Hills Park

Friends of Harrison Hills Park's free exhibit, "Native Americans of the Allegheny Valley" begins June 25 at the Harrison Hills Park Environmental Learning Center. This little exhibit shows what life was like in Tarentum, Natrona Heights, and Freeport before European settlement. You can go for a Sunday morning hike, have a picnic lunch, and enjoy the exhibit afterward!

Harrison Hills Park is located: 5200 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065 

Exhibition hours: Sundays, 1-3 PM through August 28.

Read more at New Harrison Hills exhibit showcases 'Native Americans of the Allegheny Valley' | TribLIVE.com.

Natrona Comes Together has Free Programming for Kids this Summer

If you live near Natrona Heights and have kids, consider attending one of Natrona Comes Together Association’s summer Children’s Education Programs! It is free, open to the public, and no registration is required. If you have any questions, message Bill Godfrey on the Natrona Comes Together Facebook page.