Happy Holidays! Here are Our Holiday Hours and Deadlines for State Programs

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten December 20, 2024 | 2:36 PM

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Dear Neighbor,

As 2024 draws to a close, I want to wish each of you the peace and love of the season and hope for the new year ahead. As we look toward the beginning of a new year and a new legislative session, I am grateful for the work our community continues to put in together for the collective good of all.

My district office will be closed December 24, December 25, and January 1, and we will have limited coverage December 26-31, with in-person services by appointment only. We will continue to monitor phones and email messages every day.

Please call 484-200-8259 or email?repotten@pahouse.net for assistance, or contact us through my website, repdanielle.com. Our newsletter will take a break next week and return the first week in January.?

If you need emergency access to resources during this time, please call 211 for access to free assistance with housing needs, confidential crisis and emergency counseling, food assistance, utilities payment assistance, and other urgent health and human services needs.?

From my family and my office team, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, best wishes for a safe and fun winter break, and a happy and healthy New Year to you and yours! ??

Important Deadlines Approaching

The end of 2024 and the start of the new year are quickly approaching and with that are some important deadlines for several statewide programs. Read below to see if you qualify.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program – Deadline to apply is December 31, 2024

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians ages 65 and older, widows and widowers 50 and older, and people with disabilities ages 18 and older.

Apply online

Get assistance

Pennie Open Enrollment Period – Deadline to apply is January 15, 2025

During this period, individuals and families can enroll in health insurance plans, make changes to existing coverage, or renew their current plans.

Enroll in a plan

Learn more

Supporting Local Hunger Relief in the Season of Giving

Yesterday, my staff and I joined staff from Senator Katie Muth’s office to help Chester County Food Bank prepare holiday meals for individuals and families across Chester County. We prepped, portioned, and sealed a total of 560 meals that the food bank will then distribute to customers enrolled in Meals on Wheels and the Simple Suppers Program.

Learn more about Chester County Food Bank’s Community Kitchen.

If you have questions or would like to provide feedback on any legislative or state-related issue, please contact our district office at repotten@pahouse.net.

LIHEAP Applications are Available!

The application process for the annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is open!

LIHEAP provides help with home heating bills so that Pennsylvanians can stay warm and safe during the winter months. Assistance is available for both renters and homeowners.

For eligibility requirements and information on how to apply visit:?dhs.pa.gov/LIHEAP.

2-1-1 Southeastern Pennsylvania: Health and Human Services

211 SEPA is part of the national 211 Call Centers initiative that seeks to provide health and human services for everyday needs and those in crisis situations.

2-1-1 works with county governments and provider agencies to ensure important local program information is easily accessible.

Visit 211sepa.org for more information.

Mental Health Resources: Call 9-8-8

The holidays can be a difficult time for many struggling with mental health issues, addiction recovery, or grief and loss. If you are having a hard time this holiday season, please know that you are not alone. There are people who care and who are here to help. If you are struggling this holiday season, or any time of the year, there are resources available to you. Please reach out for help.?

Chester County residents experiencing mental-health-related crisis or distress can dial 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.?This system is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people in crisis to a trained mental health professional.

Chester County offers additional resources for those in crisis, including Chester County’s warm line, 1-866-846-2722, operated by Certified Peer Specialists, who are individuals in recovery with a lived experience of mental health challenges.

Chester County’s Teen Talk Line ensures seamless referral to Mobile Crisis for youth in need of immediate or higher-level support. The call line is 855-852-TEEN (8336), and the text line is 484-362-9515.

Visit the?Department of Human Services website for more information about the 988 system and other state and local mental health resources.

If you or someone you love is in crisis, please don’t give up hope, and please know that you do not need to walk this path alone. We are here and we will do whatever we can to help.

My staff and I are here to help make state government work better for you! For assistance with the above programs or any other state-related services, please email repotten@pahouse.net, call 484-200-8259, or visit my district office in Exton.

Please don’t hesitate to call, email, or contact us through my website and let us know how we can help!

Sincerely,