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Today applications will begin to be accepted for LIHEAP, the federally funded Low-Income Energy Assistance Program of the state Department of Welfare. The program offers grants to low-income families to help pay for heating bills. The grants do not have to be repaid.

According to an article on the RepublicanHerald.com, Georgene Fedoriska, executive director at the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services, is quoted in the article as saying, “We encourage anyone eligible for the program to look into it, especially with the price of heating oil and the economy right now. Every little bit helps.”

Residents who either rent or own their home may qualify. They do not have to be on public assistance or have unpaid heating bills. The grants are sent directly to the utility company or fuel provider and are credited on the resident’s bill.

As Hurricane Sandy approaches land, we urge our families, staff, clients, and neighbors to prepare and plan for the worst.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett has declared a statewide disaster emergency so that state, county, and municipal governments can respond. Here are some additional recommendations to ride out the storm:

Remain inside your home during harsh conditions. If you need to leave your home, follow posted road warnings to keep yourself and others safe.

Gov. Tom Corbett announced that next week will be Teen Driver Safety Week here in Pennsylvania, to coincide with the safety week’s national observance.

A press release from the governor’s office explained his commitment to ensuring teen driver safety by two pieces of legistation that Gov. Corbett signed into law just this year.

“Over the past year we’ve made great strides in ensuring our youngest drivers have as much experience as possible on our roadways,” said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch. “PennDOT is wholeheartedly invested in traffic safety, and the bills the governor has signed emphasize the state’s commitment to future generations of safe drivers.”

Attorneys and staff of O’Connor Law helped to celebrate with residents of Berks County during the 9th Annual Latin Festival held at the First Energy Stadium in Reading, held on Sat., Sept. 29.

The law firm’s booth, located next to the stage, provided a perfect view of the event while handing out free t-shirts, pens, and other giveaways to festival attendees.

Ana Cruz was the big winner of the day, leaving with a 32″ LCD high definition TV compliments of O’Connor Law. Jaime Diaz won a backpack filled with school supplies. Another lucky attendee won an O’Connor Law umbrella.

A press release from PennDOT has announced that Wed., Oct. 3 is Walk or Roll to School Day across Pennsylvania.

“Celebrating walking and bicycling safely is a great way to establish safe habits in our youth, increasing their safety and fostering future generations of safe travelers,” said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch.

This event is part of International Walk to School Day, which builds awareness of the advantages of walkable communities across the world.

Just as the Social Security Administration is encouraging recipients to switch to direct deposit of funds, a new scam has been discovered that is targeting senior citizens and the disabled. According to an article on CNN.com, identity thieves are rerouting Social Security funds to their own bank accounts and prepaid debit cards.

Identity thieves simply need to get a person’s full name and bank account number. They then contact the Social Security Administration and have the payments changed to their own accounts.

According to the article, as of Aug. 31, the inspector general’s office received more than 19,000 reports of “questionable” changes or attempts to change a Social Security beneficiary’s direct deposit information.

The attorneys and staff of O’Connor Law are proud to be a sponsor of the 9th annual Latin Festival being held this Sat., Sept. 29 at the First Energy Stadium in Reading, PA. Admission is free for the event that will be held from noon to 8 PM. Parking for the event is also free. The family-oriented festival is coordinated by the Daniel Torres Hispanic Center and brings together thousands of Latinos from different countries, all in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month that runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. The event includes food and live music, as well as a chance to enjoy exhibits, and the culture and folklore of the Latino community. You can enter for a chance to win a flat screen TV and a book bag filled with school supplies. We hope you can join us this Saturday!

In May of 2011, the U.S. Department of Treasury began to phase out paper Social Security checks in favor of direct-deposited funds. Anyone applying for Social Security or other federal benefits after that date were required to receive their payments electronically.

According to an article on MSN.com, this move to direct deposit is nearly complete, with only about 3.3 million people (6%) still being paid with paper checks. The article noted that disability recipients of Supplement Security Income payments are less likely to have made the switch.

But by March of 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department will require most people to receive direct deposit, although a limited number of hardship cases, such as people in their 90s, will be allowed.

The attorneys and staff of O’Connor Law ask you to join with us as we remember all those who lost their lives 11 years ago today at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and with our country, as we remember and we continue to stand together.

Pennsylvania’s General Assistance cash program will end on Wednesday, the last day of July. The cash grant program has been in existence since the Great Depression and provides a monthly stipend of about $200 to nearly 70,000 PA residents.

According to an article on the RepublicanHerald.com, the program helps those with permanent or temporary disabilities, asd well as other poor individuals and families. The program was cut from the state budget with the idea that those losing the grant could possibly be eligible for other programs. But that depends on an individual’s situation.

With programs like PA’s General Assistance being cut, it’s more important now that ever that you receive the help you need in applying for social security disability. Your best bet is to get the help of an attorney who is familiar with the in’s and out’s of the application process and procedure. Contact the social security disabililty attorneys of O’Connor Law for help with your disability needs.