Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

July 31, 2025

Improving PA’s Special Needs Programs

Imagine landing a job that ignites your passion, challenges your skills, and offers a path to independence, only to discover that saving for your future could cost you the health care you rely on to thrive.

For Pennsylvanians with disabilities enrolled in the Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) program, this isn’t a hypothetical scenario; it’s a harsh reality.

MAWD is designed to empower individuals with disabilities to work to their full potential without fear of losing critical Medical Assistance benefits. But a glaring flaw in its eligibility rules undermines this mission by discouraging responsible financial planning and disincentivizing a recipient to save for retirement.

Under current MAWD policy, participants must keep their countable resources below $10,000 to remain eligible. I was shocked to learn that this cap includes funds in retirement savings accounts like IRAs, 401(k)s and employer pension plans. 

Workers with disabilities should not face the threat of losing the health care coverage that likely makes working possible in the first place because they planned appropriately and prioritized financial safety. This is more than just a policy oversight; it’s a barrier that penalizes prudence and dims the promise of a secure future.

That’s why I’m championing legislation to exclude retirement savings plans from the MAWD resource limit. This reform would ensure that workers with disabilities can save for their future without fear of losing essential health care benefits. By fixing this flaw, we can uphold MAWD’s promise: to empower every Pennsylvanian to work, save and build a future with confidence and dignity.

On a related topic, in response to a growing number of cases of stolen SNAP benefits, the state House approved legislation in June aimed at transitioning to chip-enabled Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.

Since October 2022, Pennsylvania has recorded more than 23,000 cases of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits being stolen through skimming schemes. Unlike modern debit and credit cards, EBT cards currently lack chip security technology, making them highly vulnerable to fraud. 

House Bill 1429 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to work with the General Assembly to ensure an efficient transition to chip-enabled EBT cards. The legislation would require the department to deliver a report to lawmakers highlighting costs, fraud prevention efforts and relevant statistics to enhance the security of SNAP benefits.

The bill is pending final consideration in the Senate

Fighting fraud and abuse is an important and ongoing effort and helps protect the integrity of these programs. More importantly, because they are funded by tax dollars paid by Pennsylvania residents and families, Harrisburg is obligated to make certain these programs are accessed by only those they are intended to reach.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Still Time to Apply for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program - Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity reports 423,092 Property Tax/Rent Rebate payments were issued on July 1, totaling $255.8 million.

The program benefits Pennsylvanians age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Eligibility and approval for payments is determined by the Department of Revenue.

This year’s income limit is $46,520 for homeowners and renters, with a maximum standard rebate of $1,000. Applicants can exclude half of their Social Security income.

Eligible Pennsylvanians can apply through Dec. 31 for the 2024 rebate, but why wait? Click here for more information about the program and to apply online, or contact my Washinton Township/Export office at 724-387-9113 or my New Kensington office at 724-472-4102. Assistance is free!

PHEAA Announces Financial Aid Seminars - The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is hosting several free webinars over the next few months to help students and families navigate the costs of higher education.

From instructions for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other key documentation, to financial aid planning, scholarship search tips and budgeting, the webinars provide valuable information in hour-long sessions online. 

Please note: The webinar titled “PA State Grant Form Completion” will be offered on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m. The one-hour session will provide an overview of the 2025-26 State Grant application process.

For a full schedule of all available webinars, and to register your participation, visit pheaa.org/virtual. 

Game Commission OKs Additional Sundays for Hunting - The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners met this week and approved 10 additional Sundays for hunting for the 2025-26 season. The additions were made in response to a new state law that lifted the centuries-old ban on Sunday hunting in the Commonwealth.

Every Sunday from Sept. 14 through Dec. 7 will now be open for hunting. The dates reflect all Sundays that fall within established hunting seasons, with the exception of migratory game bird seasons, which are set through federal frameworks. 

To read more about Sunday hunting, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission online at pgc.pa.gov. 


Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper