The Westmoreland County Department of Social Services is responsible for administering federal and state public assistance programs at the local level. These programs are intended to provide timely, temporary financial support benefits to families in time of need.

Auxiliary Grant
An Auxiliary Grant (AG) is a financial payment which supplements income for persons who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and for certain other aged, blind, or disabled individuals who live in a licensed adult care residence (ACR) or an adult family care home.

Emergency Assistance
Provides short term, limited financial assistance to families with children who have been the victim of fire or natural disaster.

Emergency Food Closet
Provides food to families and individuals in emergency situations.

Energy/Fuel Assistance
Provides financial assistance to eligible households to offset the cost of fuel to meet emergency heating needs.


Food Stamps
Tel: 800-221-5689
Enables low-income families to buy nutritious food with coupons and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. Visit this Web site for information about eligibility and benefits or call the USDA's Food Stamp Information Line listed below.

General Relief
Provides monetary assistance in emergency situations.

State/Local Hospitalization Assistance
Provides limited financial assistance to low income persons with state or local hospital bills.

Medicaid
Medicaid is a jointly-funded, Federal-State health insurance program which provides medical care for low income and needy persons who have insufficient income to meet their medical needs.

Pauper Burial
Locally funded program which provides for burial expenses of indigent individuals.

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Formerly called Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), TANF provides temporary financial assistance and medical benefits to families with children who are deprived of support of one or both parents.


WIC Program
Program designed to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.