Speaking for Ourselves

29/10/2025

Information regarding SNAP benefits for November. Food Resources.

As a result of the government shutdown, the Pa. Department of Human Services has announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be paid until the shutdown ends and funds are released to Pennsylvania.

Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians receive SNAP benefits monthly. In Philadelphia, 473,000 households obtain SNAP … that’s 30 percent of the city’s population. With the delay in SNAP benefits, thousands of Philadelphians -- including children, the elderly, and our most vulnerable community members -- will be without food.

The disruption in SNAP benefits will begin Nov. 1. Furthermore, it is not known whether recipients will be reimbursed for SNAP dollars not released due to the shutdown.

At DBHIDS, we are committed to addressing all social drivers of health that impact the people and communities we serve. Therefore, we can refer people to resources already in place. Some of those resources include pantries listed in The Philly Food Finder, a City resource that helps people locate free food, meals, nutrition services, and public benefit support hubs. Food services are categorized as Food Sites, General Meal Sites, Older Adult Meal Sites, Student Meal Sites, Food Assistance, and Benefits Sites, and any resident is eligible.

Additionally, the City of Philadelphia cross-departmental leadership has created a landing page, What you need to know about significant changes to SNAP benefits, that provides an overview of changes to SNAP as result of the H.R.1 Bill implementing work requirements for SNAP recipients.

Food Resources are listed below. Some are County Specific and some are State-wide.

PA Resources:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/food/food-assistance/food-security-in-pennsylvania/food-resources-for-pennsylvanians #:~:text=If%20you%20are%20in%20immediate,1%2D1%20for%20live%20help.

Chester County:
https://chestercountyfoodbank.org/

Delaware County:
https://www.delcopa.gov/cosa/food-resources

Montgomery and Bucks County:
https://www.alongthewaypa.org/food-and-clothing?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=13973968251&gbraid=0AAAAABvbgSkz3lUNxBstExRctw7zTjcUZ&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9obIBhCAARIsAGHm1mQuuyN5Ne_FHckgtQzGbBQmhfwQrOmkv877BhowgT8FUQQE_Nz3PyoaAuIBEALw_wcB

Philadelphia Food Finder
https://www.phila.gov/food/

24/10/2025

Today the Social Security Administration announced a 2.8 percent benefit increase for 2026. Please read below.

Baltimore, MD – The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today that Social Security benefits, including Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance …

15/10/2025

Please read the letter below for important information about Social Security during the Federal Shutdown.

The only way people can get a benefit letter or replacement Medicare card is by going through their online my Social Security account.

Do not go to the office to try and request these items.

Thank you!

13/10/2025

Do you or your loved one have a Medicaid Waiver? Did you recently receive a notice that you (or your loved one) are denied or that the Waiver has ended? If so, please contact Dee Coccia at acoccia@visionforequality.org

Thank you!

07/10/2025

Will you help us share? We are seeking nominations for Council membership of people with developmental disabilities! In particular, for people who live or have lived in a state institution or an intermediate care facility. Please share with individuals you may know who may be interested and go to our website to learn more and find the nomination forms here. People can self nominate or someone else can nominate them: https://www.paddc.org/nominate/

01/10/2025

Speaking for Ourselves attended a Resource Fair at Career Link. Thank you to all who attended.

25/09/2025

Join us for the Disability Summit today. It will be Live-streamed beginning at 9:30am.

We advocate with & for all children & adults with intellectual &/or developmental disabilities, & their families to promote active citizenship, self-determination & full inclusion, since 1948.

18/09/2025

Thank you to everyone who came to our Voting Day Event!

18/09/2025

Important County Assistance Office Update: Starting Oct. 2, 2025, all County Assistance Offices, the DHS Customer Service Center, and the DHS Helpline will open to the public at 11:00 a.m. on Thursdays for staff training.

The public will not be able to enter offices and calls will not be accepted before 11:00 a.m. on Thursdays. This will not impact hours of operation on other days of the week.

Individuals can still submit an application or renewal, report a change, submit verification documents, and more anytime online at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS.

17/09/2025

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is inviting individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism and their families to join in a virtual exploration and discussion with members of the Division of Policy and Program Innovation. These sessions are informal, meaning the conversation will not be recorded, and rules will be set before the session starts to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe to provide questions and comments. The session will be held through Microsoft Teams. Please note: This event is being held only for individuals and family members; this is not an event for someone who is only a professional.

What Will Be Covered?

Family members often want to stay as involved as possible with the services their relative receives. This session will consist of an overview of services that family members can provide through ODP's 1915(c) waivers, as well as who is considered family and other important definitions. The session will also include time to explore where this information can be found.

Date: September 18, 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Register at this link:
c78516c5-c70e-457b-88f3-1470a1305ab8@418e2841-0128-4dd5-9b6c-47fc5a9a1bde" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/c78516c5-c70e-457b-88f3-1470a1305ab8@418e2841-0128-4dd5-9b6c-47fc5a9a1bde

14/09/2025

Fare increases begin today on SEPTA.

12/09/2025

Join us on Wednesday, September 17th for our monthly meeting!!

Email or call Suzanne to attend.