Pennsylvania just eliminated general assistance. The need for it hasn't gone away
This week marks the end of General Assistance (GA) as we know it. The life-saving program that has helped thousands of Pennsylvanians get back on their feet and bridge the gap to self-sustainability ended on Aug. 1.
After a difficult battle through the legislative process and an underhanded maneuver to tie the elimination of GA to millions of dollars of hospitals, we accept that the program will cease to exist. However, that does not mean that the need has vanished.
There are still thousands of people, representing every county in this state, who are about to lose $200 each month that paid for their utilities, their toiletries, their medical bills.
On the day of the vote on the Senate floor, we shared the story of John Boyd, a man who had been homeless for 25 years and the cash assistance he received from GA was what turned his life around, enabled him to get the health care that he needed, and get off of the streets and into a bed.
Read more: https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-just-eliminated-general-assistance-the-need-for-it-hasnt-gone-away-opinion/