Lower Costs for Pennsylvanians

I’m acutely aware of how hard rising prices are hitting families’ budgets, small businesses’ operations, and our economic recovery. I know how concerning it can be. No one should have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. This is an urgent problem that requires urgent solutions.

Complicated factors are leading to price increases across several sectors of the economy—a shortage of chips affecting car prices, pandemic-related backups at ports, and fluctuating energy and food prices driven by geopolitical events. Tackling inflation is one of my top priorities in Congress, and I’m focused on concrete solutions to build a better future with a Made-In-America clean energy economy, better-paying jobs, and lower prices across the board. That’s why I voted to strengthen our supply chains, boost American manufacturing, and reduce dependence on foreign oil. We need to make more products and create more jobs here in America—not China.

The America COMPETES Act and reconciliation legislation will modernize our scientific enterprise, invest in domestic supply chains, and support American energy independence. The House also passed the bipartisan Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to lower the price of inputs like fertilizer to bring down costs at the grocery store, lower prices at the pump by making cheaper gas more available, lower meat costs by increasing meatpacking competition and capacity, and strengthen our food supply chains against future price fluctuations. These bills will go a long way to shoring up our supply chains and lowering prices, and I’m pressing for quick action to get them into law.

I know people need help right now, so please use the resources below to find relief. I'll continue doing everything I can to make groceries, housing, and prescription drugs more affordable and create a strong, stable, steady economy for today and generations to come.

 

Relief for Hardworking Pennsylvanians:

We're here to connect you with resources and relief however we can. Scroll below to find assistance that may help you and your family.

 

Gas, Groceries, and Housing

Families need relief at the gas pump. That's why I voted for the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act to empower the Federal Trade Commission for the first time with the authority to investigate and prosecute price gouging during national emergencies. Oil and gas companies can't rake in profits at the expense of Americans in economic distress. I'll keep doing everything I can to lower prices.

 

Find Cheaper Gas:

• Fueleconomy.gov: Find cheaper gas in your area.
• Improve gas mileage.
• Improve gas mileage in the winter.

 

More Transportation Help:

• LANTA: Provides LANta Bus, LANtaFlex, and LANtaVan transportation services

 

Help with Groceries:

• Shop Simple with MyPlate App: The U.S. The Department of Agriculture created a smartphone app that can help you find healthy foods while saving. 
• Food Assistance: Access programs such as SNAP, D-SNAP, and WIC
• Local Resources: Find help with food, groceries, or free or low-cost meals near you.

 

Help with Housing:

Homeowners

• General Homeowner Help by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• HUD Approved Housing Counselors (Free or Low Cost)
• Learn About Mortgage Forbearance 
• Foreclosure Protections

Renters

• Rental Assistance
• Rent Resources from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• Rent Resources from the Department of Housing and Urban Development

 

Help with Utilities and Bills

Pennsylvania received a historic $480.5 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program thanks to the American Rescue Plan, which I was proud to vote for. This and other resources may be available while we work long-term to reduce energy costs, achieve energy independence, and create more sustainable employment for decades to come.

 

Energy Bill Help:

• Home Energy Saver Calculator: See if you're paying more than what's typical for your zip code.
• Energy Savings: If you're paying more than you should, you may be able to take steps to lower your bill.
• Utility Assistance Programs: For low-income households you may qualify for support in paying utility bills

 

Credit Card Bill Help:

• General Help from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Good Place to Start)
• Stop Mystery Fees
• Fix Mistakes on Your Bill
• What To Do If You Can't Pay Your Credit Cards on Time

 

More Billing Help:

• Assistance from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: They may be able to provide you with tools such as how to disput billing errors, managng debt, or how to look out for unfair practices.
• Explore More Help: Search for more assistance including for telephone bills, health care, and more.

 

Tax Relief

New Tax Cuts for Families with Children:

• Child Tax Credit: Find out about cut taxes for middle- and working-class families with children

  • Check Eligibility
  • Find Resources to File and Claim the Full Credit
  • Get Help and FAQs

 

Tax Cuts to Lower Health Insurance:

My top priority has always been lowering costs, especially health care costs. The American Rescue Plan’s enhanced insurance premium tax credits dramatically lowered costs for both families and individuals. Learn more about this tax credit below.

• The Premium Tax Credit: Learn about refundable credit that helps eligible individuals and families cover the premiums for their health insurance
  • Learn More: How to Save on Your Monthly Insurance Bill

 

Expanded Earned Income Tax Credit: Learn if you qualify for the earned income tax credit, a fully refundable tax benefit that helps low- and moderate-income workers and working families

• Check Eligibility 
• Use the Qualification Assistant
• Learn How to Claim the EITC

 

Additional Tax Relief: Learn about resources for this tax season.

• Find the Status of Your Refund: Provides refund information for the past and current tax years.
• Open an Online Account: We encourage you to open an online account to avoid delays.
• IRS Free File: Get tax preparation assistance for free or low-costs if you qualify. 
• Get a Past Refund: Learn about situations where you may be eligible for a refund without filing a tax return

 

Help with Health Care

One of my first fights in Congress was closing the Family Glitch Loophole, which kept families from accessing affordable whole-family insurance coverage. I am proud that in May, the Biden administration moved to finally close the Family Glitch. I’ll keep fighting to lower the cost of health insurance and lifesaving prescription drugs.

 

Find Affordable Health Insurance

You may still qualify for health coverage under some conditions. Learn more here 

 

• Help with Surprise Medical Bills: I voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act which contained provisions to protect consumers from surprise medical bills. You can use these tools to protect yourself if you think you have received a bill that doesn’t follow the new law.

  • Get Help with Surprise Bills and Find New Resources

  • File a Surprise Billing Complaint

 

• Children’s Health Insurance Program: Affordable and quality health coverage for children or teens. 

 

• Community Health Centers: You can access different local health centers for care, even if uninsured or underinsured. 

 

Help for Seniors

Giving Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies will help lower prescription prices and make these savings available to Americans with private insurance. I was proud to vote for and co-sponsor the Lower Drug Costs Now Act to do just that.

 

Help with Medicare and Health Care: 

• Lower Prescription Drug Costs: With Medicare, you may be able to lower the cost of your medicines. 
• Medicare Savings Programs: This may help you pay for premiums and other expenses. 

 

Help with Social Security:

• SSA.gov: Apply for retirement, disability, check status of an application or appeal, and more. 
• mySocial Security Account: Manage your Social Security savings online. 
• Estimate Future Benefits: Help estimate your future Social Security savings more accurately. 

 

Additional Help for Seniors: 

• Verify Investment Advisors: Check the SEC website to see background information on different advisors. 
• Employment Services for Seniors
• Property Tax Relief for Qualifying Seniors

 

Help for Veterans

As the daughter of a servicemember who spent his entire career in the Air Force, I am committed to making essential services and programs accessible for veterans, servicemembers, and military families. When you put your life on the line to fight for our country, you shouldn't have to fight for your benefits too.

 

Help for Veterans: 

• Temporary Assistance
• Health Care
• Housing
• Veterans with Disabilities 
• Other Benefits

 

Help for Students

Student Financial Aid: 

• Find Aid at Studentaid.gov
• Consolidate Loans
• Learn About Loan Forgiveness Options
• Learn About Pell Grants
• Explore Options at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

 

Employment Resources

If you’re looking for a new or higher paying job, here are some resources that may help you:

• Pennsylvania Employment Help
• Career One Stop: Sponsored by the Department of Labor
• USAjobs.gov: Apply for employment with the federal government

 

• Job Help for Veterans:

  • Fedshirevets.gov
  • Veterans’ Employment and Training Service

 

Start or Grow a Small Business

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. I’m dedicated to doing everything I can to help our small businesses grow and hire.

 

• Help from the U.S. Small Business Administration:

  • Find a low-cost SBA loan
  • Grow your business
  • Plan your business
  • Start your business

 

• Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers: The SBDC provides educational training, business resources and more to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

• Local Assistance: 

  • Allentown Small Business Support Program

 

• Help for Women and Minority Owned Businesses:

  • Pennsylvania Women’s Business Center
  • Support for Women Owned Businesses
  • Department of Commerce: Minority Business Development Agency
  • 8 Resources for Minority Owned Businesses
  • SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership

 

• Census Business Builder: According to the Department of Commerce, this tool provides selected demographic and economic data in a simple format.  

 

• Export tools: Explore some resources to help your business in the global economy. 

  • Export-Import Bank: This independent agency helps facilitate international transactions when private sector lenders are unable to. 
  • Export Assistance: The Department of Commerce offers a number of tools to help businesses export their products around the globe. 
    • Connecting to Global Markets: Learn about foreign buyers, expanding into new markets, and more. 
    • Classification Search Tool: Find out your product’s classification. 
    • USA Trade Online: Learn more about trade data and business opportunities. 
    • Global Market Finder

 

• Helpful Contacts: Explore the following resources to get help navigating assistance programs, and connecting with someone to answer your questions. 

  • SBA’s Customer Service Center: 
    • (800) 659-2955
    • disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
  • SBA local office contact information: 
    • King of Prussia - Main office
    • (610) 382-3062
  • Lehigh University Small Business Development Center