School meal assistance programs: Wilson School District offers free and reduced-price meals to eligible students through the National School Lunch Program. This ensures every child has access to nutritious meals during the school day, regardless of family income.
Parent Welcome Ltr 2025-2026.docx- applications can be submitted online of via paper forms sent home at the beginning of the school year.
Who Qualifies:
Families receiving SNAP, TANF, or other public assistance
Households with income below federal guidelines
Foster children, homeless youth, and children in Head Start
How to Apply:
Fill out the Free & Reduced Meals Application online or request a paper form from your child’s school.
Applications are confidential and can be submitted anytime during the school year.
Berks County Assistance Office (CAO) – Financial & Benefits Support: The Berks County Assistance Office helps families apply for programs such as SNAP, Medicaid/CHIP, TANF cash assistance, childcare subsidy, and LIHEAP. This office supports families in meeting basic needs and accessing essential services.
Address: 625 Cherry Street, Reading, PA 19602
Phone: • Main Office: 610‑736‑4211 • Toll‑Free: 1‑866‑215‑3912
Website: County Assistance Offices (CAO) | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Who Qualifies: • Families with limited income • Households receiving SNAP, TANF, or other public benefits • Children needing health insurance (CHIP/Medicaid) • Families needing help with childcare costs • Individuals needing emergency financial support
How to Apply: Applications for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, childcare subsidy, and LIHEAP can be submitted online through COMPASS or in person at the CAO. Applications are confidential and can be submitted anytime during the year.
LIHEAP – Heating & Utility Assistance: LIHEAP helps families pay heating bills, avoid shut‑offs, and stay safe during the winter months. This program is seasonal and does not require repayment.
Address: Processed through the Berks County Assistance Office 625 Cherry Street, Reading, PA 19602
Phone: • LIHEAP Direct Line: 610‑736‑4228 • Toll‑Free: 1‑866‑215‑3911
Website / Application: COMPASS Homepage - COMPASS Homepage Landing [HPDFT]
Who Qualifies: • Families with limited income • Households experiencing heating emergencies • Families receiving SNAP, TANF, or SSI automatically meet income guidelines
How to Apply: Submit an application through COMPASS or request a paper application from the CAO. Families may apply once per heating season, and benefits are paid directly to the utility company.
UGI Operation HELP – Utility Bill Assistance: Operation HELP provides financial assistance to UGI customers who are struggling to pay their gas or electric bills. This program helps families maintain safe and reliable home utilities.
Websites:
Payment Assistance Programs - UGI Utilities
Operation Share Customer Assistance - UGI Utilities
Phone: UGI Customer Assistance: 1‑800‑276‑2722
Who Qualifies: • UGI customers experiencing financial hardship • Families with limited income • Households facing difficulty paying heating or electric bills
How to Apply: Families can apply online through UGI’s website or request assistance by calling customer service. Operation HELP works alongside LIHEAP and other utility assistance programs to support families year‑round.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): SNAP helps families buy groceries and ensures children have consistent access to healthy food at home. Benefits are loaded monthly onto an EBT card that can be used at grocery stores and many local markets.
Website: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Who Qualifies: · Families with income below federal guidelines · Households receiving TANF, SSI, or other public benefits · Working families with low or moderate income · Caregivers raising children, including kinship caregivers
How to Apply: Families can apply online through COMPASS or request a paper application from the Berks County Assistance Office. Applications are confidential and can be submitted anytime during the year.
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families): TANF provides monthly cash assistance to help families meet basic needs such as housing, clothing, transportation, and childcare. The program also connects parents with employment and training supports.
Website: COMPASS Homepage - COMPASS Homepage Landing [HPDFT]
Who Qualifies: Families with children under 18 · Pregnant individuals · Households with limited income and resources · Families needing support while seeking employment
How to Apply: Applications can be submitted online through COMPASS or in person at the Berks County Assistance Office. Families may also request help completing the application.
Other Public Assistance Programs: Pennsylvania offers several additional supports to help families stay stable, healthy, and safe. These programs can be applied for together through the COMPASS benefits portal.
Website: COMPASS Homepage - COMPASS Homepage Landing [HPDFT]
Programs Include:
Medicaid/CHIP – Free or low‑cost health insurance for children and families
Child Care Works – Helps pay for daycare and before/after‑school
State Blind Pension & Refugee Cash Assistance
Home and Community‑Based Services referrals
Who Qualifies:
Families with limited income
Children needing health insurance
Caregivers needing childcare support
Households facing financial hardship
How to Apply: Families can apply for multiple programs at once through COMPASS. Applications are confidential and can be submitted year‑round.