State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38
Update

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*Constituent Stories**

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*A
Thank You We Won't Forget!*

Places like our community pools, public
libraries, and parks are incredibly important to our identity. These
"third spaces" give us a place to meet neighbors, make friends, learn
something new, and feel part of something bigger. They fight isolation
and ideological polarization. That's why investing in them is so
important to me. My office recently received this thank you from a
McCandless Township resident for a $100,000 Gaming Economic
Development Tourism Fund (GEDTF) grant that I helped secure for new
equipment and renovations to the Ingomar North Recreation & Swimming
Club.

*Dear Senator Williams *

*I wanted to pass along a most
sincere thank you from our entire family and neighborhood for your
efforts to secure GEDTF funding to maintain our beloved pool.
*

*The pool is the epicenter of what makes this such a wonderful
place to live, learn, raise children, and age. We make our best
friends here, we build and maintain something greater than ourselves,
we raise children in a place where free play and curiosity can grow
with their peers - and you've helped keep that alive. *

*We've
always been proud of the way you represent us and speak with courage
and strength, when that is needed more than ever in our democracy. But
this service speaks to the very core of our local community and what
makes it so special. *

*Thank you for your leadership and public
service. *

*McCandless Twp Resident*

The GEDTF program helps
support these critical third spaces that make our neighborhoods
stronger, safer, and more welcoming for everyone. I'm proud to support
these investments -- the very kinds of community spaces that residents
like the writer of that letter count on and cherish.

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*2025
Senate District 38 Events Roundup**

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*Four
Shredding Events in 2025!*

We always hear how much our constituents
love our free Shredding Events, so we partner with our State Reps to
bring as many to the District as possible every year. In 2025, we held
two events in Ross (April and July) with Rep. Emily Kinkead, one in
Shaler (July) with Rep. Lindsay Powell, and one in Hampton (September)
with Rep Arvind Venkat.

We're already planning for next year's
events, so look for details coming soon!

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*Good
News**

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*Meetings
with Center for Coalfield Justice and Planned Parenthood*

I had
some great meetings with constituents in Harrisburg in
November!

Center for Coalfield Justice and I talked about the
impact of AI data centers, including how they will impact our water
systems, our power grid, and our utility bills. Data centers and their
build outs have a big impact on our bills and our communities-- that's
why I'm introducing legislation
[link 1]that will require
corporations to pay their fair share.

I also discussed the
necessity of the wide range of healthcare services that Planned
Parenthood of Western PA offers for thousands of patients each year -
pap tests, breast & cervical cancer screenings, a variety of
contraceptives, STI testing & treatment, colposcopies & cryotherapy,
hormone therapy, vaccines and yes, abortion.

I love meeting with
constituents to talk about the issues that matter to them and work
towards solutions for all Pennsylvanians.

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*Tarentum
& Brackenridge Christmas Parade*

It was a bright beautiful day at
Tarentum & Brackenridge's Christmas Parade! Thank you to everyone who
worked hard to organize the event or participate and thank you to the
community members who came out in support!

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*Shaler
Light Up Night*

There was lots of holiday cheer on display at this
year's Shaler Township Light Up Night. It was wonderful to see all the
happy faces made possible by Shaler's hard-working
volunteers.

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*McCandless
Fire and Rescue Departments Recognition Dinner*

I had a wonderful
time joining firefighters and their families at the annual McCandless
Fire and Rescue Banquet. The members of the Highland Volunteer Fire
Department, Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company Station 187, and Peebles
District Volunteer Fire Company do an incredible job serving their
communities, and the entire region, every single day. This banquet is
a great chance for them to take a night off, recognize their hard
work, and celebrate their successes.

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*A
Stroll Down Latte Lane*

I spent time last Tuesday catching up with
Heather, the owner of Latte Lane [link 2] to talk about their
transition from a coffee truck to a storefront here in Cheswick, and
how we can make sure these small businesses thrive in our
communities.

Latte Lane has incredible seasonal drinks and
goodies-- my staff and I highly recommend for your morning commute or
an afternoon treat.

If you have a small business- or the idea for
one- and are looking to take the next step, check out my website for
resources geared towards owners like you: Allegheny County Small
Business Resources - Senator Lindsey Williams [link 3].

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*Post
Gazette Strike Ends!*

Congratulations to the (no longer striking)
workers of the Post-Gazette on their return to work! The Newspaper
Guild of Pittsburgh went on strike on Oct. 18, 2022, held the longest
strike in the country (1,132 days if you're counting), and got their
contract restored in court. On November 24,2025, they went back to the
newsroom.

We're saying goodbye to the Pittsburgh Union Press, but
not to the workers who make Pittsburgh #union strong [link
4].

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*Sheetmetal
Training Facility Visit in Harmar*

I recently visited to the
Journeymen Apprentice Training Facility for the Sheet Metal Workers
Local #12 in Harmar Township. I was proud to help secure a $500,000
state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant to upgrade
the facility in 2019, and I was excited to see how that funding has
been used to improve the building and the educational spaces that
future Sheetmetal workers are using.

I had fun getting hands-on
demonstrations of the state-of-the-art training workers receive at
what is the largest classroom for the Journeymen Apprenticeship
Program in PA. These apprenticeship programs create the workers of the
future- and ensure that they graduate with the skills needed to do
their jobs professionally, safely, and without student debt.

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*Legislative
Update**

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*Child
Care Staff Retention and Recruitment Celebration*

Last Monday, I
joined Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Senate
Minority Leader Jay Costa, Rep. Joe McAndrew, and leaders in early
childhood education to celebrate the passage of the Child Care Staff
Retention and Recruitment Program in the FY25-26 Budget.

Working
parents--especially working moms--cannot go to work unless they have
safe, affordable, reliable care for their kids. Our early childhood
care providers do so much more than just babysit. They establish
stability and routine, provide an educational foundation that sets
kids up for future success, and let parents get to work and provide
for their households. This $25 million investment in our childcare
workers is a great start toward paying our childcare workers like the
keystones of our economy that they are.

The Child Care Staff
Retention and Recruitment Program is based on Senate Bill 506 [link
5], legislation that I introduced with my colleague and Senator Judy
Schwank (D-Berks) that was included in the FY25-26 Budget. It provides
$25 million in recruitment and retention bonuses for childcare staff
across the Commonwealth, an approximately $450 bonus per
employee.

Delayed Pa. budget aims to tackle child care workforce
crisis [link 6]

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*

*News
You Can Use**

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[link 7]

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[link 8]

*LIHEAP 2025-26 Applications Open!*

Applications for
the 2025-26 LIHEAP Season opened on Wednesday, December 3rd. The
application opening period was delayed due to the federal government
shutdown.

*Cash Grants:*

LIHEAP cash grants help keep your home
warm in the winter. From *December 3, 2025, to April 10, 2026*, you
can apply for a cash grant to help with heating costs. Grants range
from *$200 to $1,000*, depending on your household size, income, and
fuel type.

The cash grant is a one-time payment - you do not have
to pay it back!. The grant will be sent directly to your utility
provider or fuel company to be credited on your bill.

*Crisis
Grants:*

Eligible Pennsylvania residents can receive between *$25
and $1,000* in LIHEAP crisis grants. To qualify, households must meet
income guidelines *and* be in one of these situations:

-
Their
heating service is about to be shut off

-
Their heating service
has already been shut off

-
They have run out of deliverable fuel
(like oil, propane, coal, or wood) or have less than a two-week supply
on hand

*Eligibility*

To qualify for LIHEAP, you must meet
income limits based on your household size. Both renters and
homeowners can qualify. You *do not* need to be on another public
assistance program or have unpaid heating bills to
qualify.

*Household Size*

A household includes the person or
group of people who live together. When determining your household
size, you must list those who live at the residence, including:

-
All children and adults

-
All relatives who are rooming at the
residence

-
All unrelated people who are rooming at the residence
and share household expenses

*Income Requirements*

Your LIHEAP
eligibility is based on your household's total yearly income and how
many people live in your home. Income includes the combined annual
earnings of everyone in the household. Include income from:

-
All
related or unrelated household members

-
Renters who are related
to you by blood, marriage, or adoption to a household member

See
the income and household size table below to see if you qualify.
*Household Size*

*Maximum Annual
Income*

1

*$23,475*

2

*$31,725*

3

*$39,975*

4

*$48,225*

5

*$56,475*

6

*$64,725*

There
are many ways to apply for LIHEAP!

-
Apply online [link 9] or
through the COMPASS app:

-
Mail:

-
Download a form at the
DHS website here [link 10] and complete it, including supporting
documentation

-
Call my office at 412-364-0469 or 724-224-2131
for assistance printing a form

-
Mail the completed form and
necessary documentation to your County Assistance Office

-
In
person at your county assistance office.

*County Assistance Offices
in/near Senate District 38 include:*

Assistance Office
Address

Telephone/Fax Numbers

*Low Income Home Energy
Assistance*

*Program (LIHEAP)*

5947 Penn Avenue, 4th
Floor

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

* OFFICE HOURS*: 7:30 a.m.-5
p.m.

** The entrance is at Kirkwood Street and North Highland
Avenue*

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Phone: 412-562-0330

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FAX:
412-565-0107

*Alle-Kiski District*

909 Industrial
Boulevard

New Kensington, PA 15068-0132

*OFFICE HOURS: *7:30
a.m.-5 p.m

-
Toll-Free: 1-800-622-3527

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Phone: (724)
339-6800

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LIHEAP: (724)832-5524

-
FAX: (724)
339-6850

*Greater Pittsburgh East District*

5947 Penn
Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15206-3844

*OFFICE HOURS*: 7:30 a.m.-5
p.m.

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Phone: (412) 645-7400 or 7401

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FAX: (412)
365-2821

For more offices, visit County Assistance Offices (CAO) |
Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania [link
11]

Questions? Call us at 412-364-0469, 724-224-2131 or email
[email protected] [link 12].

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*ICYMI - SNAP Work Requirement Expanded to More People
November 1st*

*Use Online Screening Tool to See if You Are
Affected!*

Thanks to new federal regulations, Pennsylvania's
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients are now
required to work, volunteer, or participate in education or training
programs for 20 hours per week (80 hours per month) and report those
hours to County Assistance Offices. Individuals can only receive SNAP
for three months in a three-year period if they do not meet the work
requirements. Work requirements began in September and were expanded
to include more people on November 1, 2025. * *

*As of November 1,
2025*, SNAP recipients must meet work requirements if they:

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Are
between 18-64 years old;

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Do not have a dependent child under 14
years old; and

-
Are considered physically and mentally able to
work.

Note that there are *exemptions* from the work requirements
for certain people, for example, people who are pregnant, homeless, or
physically or mentally unable to work. For a complete list of
exemptions go to:
[link removed]
[link 16]).

* **What to do:*

-
To help SNAP recipients and
applicants determine if they need to meet the work requirements, the
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) has two *screening
tools*:

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*New online screening tool*:
[link removed] [link 17]

-
*Paper survey* [link 18] you can print.

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If health limits your
ability to work, submit a signed *Medical Exemption Form* from your
doctor or therapist:

-
[link removed]... [link 19]

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Return to your County Assistance Office:
[link removed] [link 20]

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DHS will not change your benefits without notifying you by mail first
so* keep your address up to date with:*

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DHS by calling the
Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930 or updating your address
through COMPASS [link 21].

-
The US Postal Service so you don't
miss any important mailings about your benefits!



-
*For
questions about reporting work, education, training, or volunteer
activities*:

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Contact your caseworker at DHS' County Assistance
Office [link removed] [link
22].

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Or call the DHS Customer Service Center at
877-395-8930.

Make sure to act fast and stay informed! Check the PA
DHS website for full details on SNAP and work requirements
at:

[link removed]
[link 23].

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*Allegheny County Parks Holiday Food Drive*

*Now
through December 25!*

With SNAP and other benefits facing
uncertainty, the need for food assistance is at an all-time high.
Allegheny County Parks is working with local food banks to make sure
that donating food during the holiday season is easier than ever, with
drop off locations in Boyce, North, and South Park from Monday,
November 10, 2025 through Thursday, December 25, 2025.

North Park
drop off locations:

-
Admin Office

303 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison
Park, PA 15101

Mon-Fri, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

-
Golf Course Pro
Shop

10200 Kummer Rd, Wexford, PA 15090

Daily, dawn -
dusk

For more information go to:
[link removed]
[link 25].

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*2027 PA Teacher of the Year Nominations Open through
December 15!*

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is
accepting nominations for the Commonwealth's 2027 Teacher of the Year!
If you know an outstanding educator in Pennsylvania you have until
December 15 to nominate them at:
[link removed]
[link 27].

The 2027 Teacher of the Year will be announced at an
awards ceremony in December 2026 and will represent Pennsylvania at
various local, regional, and national functions culminating in the
National Teacher of the Year ceremony at the White House.

The
National State Teacher of the Year (NSTOY) program annually recognizes
a professional who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities
to learn; who has the respect and admiration of students, parents, and
colleagues; and who plays an active role in their school and
community.

Congratulations to the newly named 2026 Pennsylvania
Teacher of the Year, Madeline Loring, who teaches fourth grade at
Jefferson-Morgan Elementary School in Greene County!

Learn more
about Pennsylvania's Teacher of the Year program at:
[link removed]
[link 28].

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[link 29]

*Christmas Bird Count in North Park!*

*Latodami Nature
Center, Saturday, December 27, 8-11am*

Join the thousands of
volunteers across North America for the Audubon Society's 126th
Christmas Bird Count right here in North Park on Saturday, December
27! This annual winter bird census provides valuable documentation on
the species diversity and health of our local birds. No previous
experience needed!

For complete information and to register go to:
[link removed].
[link 30]

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As
always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have
by phone at 412-364-0469 [link 31] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
32] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 33]. My staff will return
your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

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Senator
Lindsey Williams

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mailto:[email protected]

Contact
Information:

Website:
[link removed]

Office Location:
District
Office
5000 McKnight Road
Suite 405
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone:
412-364-0469
Fax: 412-364-0928
Monday ? Friday 9-5

Harrison
Office
1826 Union Avenue
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Phone:
724-224-2131
Fax: 724-224-2145
Monday ? Thursday 9-5

Harrisburg
Office
366 Capitol Building
Senate Box 203038
Harrisburg, PA
17120-3038
Phone: 717-787-6538
Fax: 717-787-8625
By appointment
only


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