PA 211
- General help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free, confidential referral line and search for local help with food, housing, utilities and more.
Who it's for: Anyone.
Pennsylvania
46 resources in Pennsylvania, plus programs open to everyone.
In Pennsylvania
Start here: benefits and programs
Pennsylvania WIC
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, infants and young children.
Who it's for: Pennsylvania residents at nutritional risk with household income up to 185% of the poverty level.
Pennsylvania: Apply for SNAP
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
How to apply for SNAP food assistance through the Department of Human Services.
Who it's for: Income limits apply.
Pennie
- Health care
- Low cost
- Online or statewide
Pennsylvania's official health insurance marketplace, with financial help for eligible residents.
Who it's for: Pennsylvania residents; costs depend on income.
Pennsylvania: Apply for Medicaid
- Health care
- Free
- Online or statewide
How to apply for Medicaid health coverage through the Department of Human Services.
Who it's for: Income limits apply.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Apply for Benefits
- Benefits
- Free
- Online or statewide
Apply for food, health, energy and cash assistance online, in person, by phone or by mail.
Who it's for: Income limits apply.
Pennsylvania: Apply for LIHEAP
- Utilities
- Free
- Online or statewide
How to apply for help paying heating bills through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Who it's for: Income limits apply.
Local help and services
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
CEO Weinberg Northeast Regional Foodbank
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Feeding Pennsylvania
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Statewide network of Feeding America food banks. Find the one that serves your county.
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Food bank serving southwestern Pennsylvania. Use the site to find food near you.
Helping Harvest
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Mercer County Food Bank
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Philabundance
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Food bank serving the Philadelphia region. Use the site to find food near you.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and NE Pennsylvania
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Westmoreland Food Bank
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers
- Health care
- Sliding scale
- Online or statewide
Association of Pennsylvania's community health centers, which charge based on income. Find a center near you.
Who it's for: Open to everyone; fees adjust to income.
Community Legal Services (Philadelphia)
- Legal help
- Free
Free civil legal help for low-income Philadelphians on housing, benefits, health and more.
Who it's for: Income-eligible Philadelphia residents.
- Center City office 1424 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 Directions
- North Philadelphia Law Center 1410 W Erie Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19140 Directions
Laurel Legal Services, Inc.
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
LawHelp.org: Pennsylvania
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free legal information, self-help guides and links to free legal aid providers in Pennsylvania.
Who it's for: Anyone can read the guides; legal aid providers set their own income limits.
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
MidPenn Legal Services, Inc.
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
Neighborhood Legal Services Association
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
North Penn Legal Services, Inc.
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
Northwestern Legal Services
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find free civil legal help and self-help information across Pennsylvania.
Who it's for: Income-eligible Pennsylvania residents.
Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
Summit Legal Aid
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
Libraries, parks and things to do
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
- Education
- Free
Free books, computers, programs and events at the main library in Oakland and neighborhood branches.
Who it's for: Free library card for Allegheny County residents; libraries are open to all.
- Main (Oakland) 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Directions
Free Library of Philadelphia
- Education
- Free
Free books, computers, programs and events at Parkway Central and neighborhood libraries across Philadelphia.
Who it's for: Free library card for Philadelphia residents; libraries are open to all.
- Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Directions
Liberty Bell Center
- Things to do
- Free
The Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historical Park is free and needs no ticket. Check the park site for tours of Independence Hall.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- 526 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Directions
Pennsylvania State Parks
- Things to do
- Free
- Online or statewide
Pennsylvania's state parks do not charge an entrance fee. Trails, picnic areas and beaches are free; things like camping cost extra.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
Point State Park
- Things to do
- Free
A free park where Pittsburgh's three rivers meet, open every day from sunrise to sunset.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- 601 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Directions
Valley Forge National Historical Park
- Things to do
- Free
Free park with trails, historic sites and open fields where the Continental Army camped. No entrance pass needed.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- Park headquarters 1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406 Directions
Ways to give back
PennSERVE
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
The state office that supports volunteering and national service (AmeriCorps) in Pennsylvania. Use the site to find programs and opportunities.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Habitat for Humanity in Pennsylvania
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find a local Habitat for Humanity in Pennsylvania to volunteer on home builds and repairs or in a ReStore.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Central Pennsylvania Food Bank's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at CEO Weinberg Northeast Regional Foodbank
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on CEO Weinberg Northeast Regional Foodbank's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Helping Harvest
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Helping Harvest's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Mercer County Food Bank
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Mercer County Food Bank's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Philabundance
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Philabundance's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and NE Pennsylvania
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and NE Pennsylvania's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Westmoreland Food Bank
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Westmoreland Food Bank's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Available everywhere
Start here: benefits and programs
211 Helpline
- General help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free, confidential referral line connecting you to local help with food, housing, utilities and more. Dial 211 or search online.
Who it's for: Anyone.
SNAP (Food Stamps)
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Monthly benefits for groceries. Applications are handled by your state; the USDA page links to each state's office.
Who it's for: Income and household-size rules apply.
WIC
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Food, nutrition counseling and health referrals for pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children under five.
Who it's for: Income-based; apply through your state or local WIC agency.
Medicaid and CHIP
- Health care
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free or low-cost health coverage for people with limited income, and for children through CHIP. Apply through your state.
Who it's for: Income and household rules vary by state.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Mental health
- Free
- Online or statewide
24/7 free, confidential crisis support by call, text or chat.
Who it's for: Anyone.
Benefits.gov Benefit Finder
- Benefits
- Free
- Online or statewide
Federal questionnaire that shows which government benefits you may qualify for.
Who it's for: Anyone; answers are used only to match programs.
Free Tax Help (VITA)
- Benefits
- Free
- Online or statewide
IRS-certified volunteers prepare tax returns for free and help claim credits such as the EITC.
Who it's for: Generally households earning about $67,000 or less.
HUD Find Shelter and Housing Help
- Housing
- Free
- Online or statewide
Links to emergency shelter, housing counseling and rental assistance offices near you.
Lifeline Phone and Internet Discount
- Utilities
- Low cost
- Online or statewide
Monthly discount on phone or internet service for qualifying households.
Who it's for: Income-based, or enrollment in SNAP, Medicaid and other programs.
LIHEAP Energy Assistance
- Utilities
- Free
- Online or statewide
Federal program that helps with heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state or local agency.
Who it's for: Income-based.
Local help and services
Feeding America Food Bank Locator
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find the food bank that serves your ZIP code.
HRSA Find a Health Center
- Health care
- Sliding scale
- Online or statewide
Locator for federally funded community health centers that charge based on income and never turn people away for inability to pay.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
SAMHSA National Helpline
- Mental health
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free, confidential treatment referrals for mental health and substance use, in English and Spanish, 24/7.
Who it's for: Anyone, including people without insurance.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Safety
- Free
- Online or statewide
24/7 confidential support, safety planning and referrals for people experiencing domestic violence.
Who it's for: Anyone.
Legal Services Corporation: Find Legal Aid
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Directory of LSC-funded legal aid organizations offering free civil legal help.
Who it's for: Income-eligible individuals.
National Diaper Bank Network
- Family
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find a local diaper bank for free diapers and baby supplies.
Head Start
- Education
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free early learning and family services for children from birth to age five in low-income families.
Who it's for: Income-based.
Libraries, parks and things to do
Every Kid Outdoors
- Things to do
- Free
- Online or statewide
A free pass for fourth graders and their families to visit national parks, lands and waters for a year.
Who it's for: Fourth graders and their families.
Museums for All
- Things to do
- Low cost
- Online or statewide
Free or reduced admission to participating museums across the country for people receiving SNAP benefits. Bring your EBT card and a photo ID.
Who it's for: People receiving SNAP benefits.
National Park Service Entrance Passes and Free Days
- Things to do
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free entrance days at national parks, plus discounted or free passes for eligible groups.
Who it's for: Open to everyone on free days; passes have their own rules.
Ways to give back
American Red Cross: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Volunteer with disaster relief, blood drives and services for military families.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
AmeriCorps
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Service programs across the country where members tackle local needs full or part time, some with a living allowance and help paying for school.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Volunteer opportunities for adults 55 and older through RSVP, one of the country's largest senior volunteer networks. You choose how, where and when to serve.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Big Brothers Big Sisters: Become a Big
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Mentor a young person. It takes about an hour a week, and your local agency will guide you through the process.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Boys & Girls Clubs: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Volunteer at a local club as a mentor, tutor or activity leader for kids and teens.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
CASA and GAL Volunteers
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Become a trained volunteer who speaks up for a child in the foster care system.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Catchafire
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Use your professional skills, such as design, marketing or tech, to help a nonprofit for a few hours.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Feeding America: Volunteer at a Food Bank
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find a food bank near you and sign up to sort, pack and hand out food.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Habitat for Humanity: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help build or repair affordable homes, or work in a local Habitat ReStore. No experience needed.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Idealist and VolunteerMatch
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Search thousands of in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities by cause and location. VolunteerMatch is now part of Idealist.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
IRS Tax Volunteers (VITA and TCE)
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Get free training to help people in your community prepare their taxes at no cost.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Meals on Wheels: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Deliver meals and a friendly visit to older neighbors, on a schedule that fits yours.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Medical Reserve Corps
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Community volunteers, medical and non-medical, who help their neighborhoods prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Points of Light Engage
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Search volunteer projects and events near you, or start a project of your own.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
United Way: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find your local United Way to volunteer on community projects and food drives, or to help families get on solid financial footing.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer.gov
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Volunteer on public lands, such as national parks, forests and wildlife refuges.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.