PITTSBURGH, PA – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders at United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania today to applaud the work of PA 211 call center workers and highlight how the 2026-27 Shapiro-Davis budget increases state funding for this vital service by an additional $250,000, ensuring resources are available when Pennsylvanians encounter a moment of crisis.
Pennsylvanians can call or text 211 or visit www.pa211.org to be connected to various local resources, including food assistance, counseling services, health care, housing and utility payment assistance, disaster recovery, employment and education services, veterans' services and more. In 2024, PA 211 received more than 200,000 calls, texts and chats, leading to nearly 700,000 referrals for resources and services.
“When my staff met with the United Way’s team last fall, that also happened to be at the moment when the federal government was shutting down, putting food assistance at risk for nearly two million Pennsylvanians,” said Davis. “Governor Shapiro and I were visiting food banks and encouraging people to call 211 for both assistance and volunteer opportunities. It was so encouraging to see so many Pennsylvanians step up to donate and volunteer at that critical time – and PA 211’s call centers stepped up in that critical moment, as well. This work is important – and these workers are important. That’s why Governor Shapiro and I are calling for a 33 percent increase to the PA 211 line item in our state budget proposal.”
“United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is proud to run the 211 contact center for 34 Pennsylvania counties. This free, confidential service connects people across the Commonwealth 24/7/365 to vital human services that serve their neighborhoods,” said United Way President and CEO Bobbi Watt Geer. “This funding increase will help ensure that 211 is ready to help Pennsylvanians deal with crises, meet their basic needs, and thrive.”
Last week Governor Josh Shapiro presented his 2026-27 budget proposal, which builds on three years of historic progress, while taking action to lower costs and make life more affordable for Pennsylvanians. Since taking office, the Shapiro-Davis Administration has cut taxes seven times, including an expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and the creation of a new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit.
As one of their services, PA 211 connects eligible Pennsylvanians with no-cost tax preparation services that help working families access these tax credits, lowering their tax bills and increasing their refunds. In 2024, PA 211 scheduled nearly 25,000 appointments with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, leading to more than $35 million in refunds to eligible filers.
“At the county, our work on eviction prevention, housing stability, food access, and behavioral health depends on people knowing where to turn and being able to connect quickly to real support. 211 helps make that possible,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “It is a connective tissue across systems that are otherwise difficult to navigate, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, working families, and people experiencing crisis.”