Office Closure for the Holidays

Please NOTE that my office hours for this week and next week have changed!!

We will have limited hours and staff next week, due to the holiday.

We are now CLOSED on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week and next week due to the holidays.

I want to wish you a Happy Holiday Season!

Whether you’re celebrating Festivus, Christmas, Hannukah or Kwanzaa (or nothing at all), I hope you’re able to enjoy the holiday festivities and spend quality time with your loved ones. 🔯 🎄

SEPTA Weekday Mid-Day Bus Substitution Alert

SEPTA just let us know that from Monday, January 5, through Friday, April 3 there will be mid-day weekday shuttle buses replacing train service on the Fox Chase Line while crews perform continuous welded rail renewal.

Inbound (toward Center City): Shuttle buses will leave Fox Chase Station 28 minutes earlier than the regular train schedule. Trains will depart 5 minutes after the bus arrives at Wayne Junction. (No bus connection for Train 817) Riders should plan for an additional 30-35 minutes of travel time. Buses will be marked “Rail Shuttle.”
Outbound (toward Fox Chase): Shuttle buses will depart 5 minutes after train arrival at Wayne Junction, serving all stations along the line. Riders should plan for an additional 35-40 minutes of travel time.

What to Expect: Between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., SEPTA’s Track Department will be installing and adjusting new continuous welded rail, which will provide a smoother and more efficient ride for passengers. Work will move along various points of the line throughout the day.

SEPTA Festibuses Are Here!

Keep an eye out for SEPTA FESTIBUSES 🥳 cruising the streets for the first time ever this holiday season! You can track them here: Festibus Tracker.

See live positions of SEPTA's decorated holiday buses and trolleys, plus their routes for the next 30 minutes. Zoom in to see stops, then tap one to check arrival times.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season.

As you celebrate, we encourage everyone to keep safety top of mind. A few quick reminders:

💧Keep live Christmas trees well-watered and at least three feet from heat sources

🔌 Inspect holiday lights for damage and avoid overloading outlets

🎄 Turn off decorative lights when leaving home or going to sleep

More holiday safety reminders can be found here.

We hope you have a joyful and safe holiday season. As always, we’re here to help and look forward to serving you in the New Year.

Happy Festivus!

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Festivus for the rest of us! 🎊

Festivus is a secular, anti-commercial holiday celebrated today, December 23, and made famous by the sitcom Seinfeld.

Traditions include a proudly undecorated aluminum pole, the legendary “Airing of Grievances” 💬 (where everyone explains how the past year disappointed them), a no frills dinner of meatloaf, and the “Feats of Strength” 💪 (which may or may not involve wrestling a loved one).

A tongue-in-cheek alternative to Christmas, Festivus celebrates family, sarcasm and saying what you really think—perfectly captured by its motto: “A Festivus for the rest of us!” 🎆

As you celebrate, we encourage everyone to keep safety top of mind. A few quick reminders:

More holiday safety reminders can be found here.

We hope you have a joyful and safe holiday season. As always, we’re here to help and look forward to serving you in the New Year.

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Still Shopping for Gifts?

Find the perfect holiday gifts right here in Montgomery County!

From local wine and baked goods to maple syrup, wool products, honey and even holiday hayrides, Montco farms and makers have something special for everyone on your list.

Support local this season and discover unique gifts and experiences across our communities. The Montgomery County Planning Commission created a helpful guide to all the spots you can visit!

Not Feeling the Holiday Spirit? You Aren't Alone.

The holiday season can bring a mix of emotions, and for many people it can be a difficult or isolating time. Support is available for Pennsylvanians who are struggling with their mental health, substance use, or feelings of loneliness, and help is accessible 24 hours a day.

Anyone experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges or thoughts of self-harm can call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and connects individuals directly with trained mental health counselors. Support is also available for people who are concerned about a loved one, as well as for veterans and Spanish-speaking callers.

Pennsylvania also offers mental health and substance-use resource guides that can help individuals find screenings, treatment providers, housing and trauma supports, county assistance offices, and help applying for benefits. Additional free resources are available to connect people with longer-term mental health support in their local communities.

For those seeking help with substance use or recovery services, the PA Get Help Now helpline is available at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This confidential, 24/7 hotline connects callers to treatment and recovery resources in their area and can also help identify funding options. Pennsylvanians can also use Treatment Atlas to search for and compare substance-use treatment facilities based on location, services and insurance accepted.

Naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, is widely available in Pennsylvania. Residents can obtain naloxone at local pharmacies without a prescription or have it mailed to their home after completing a short training. Carrying naloxone can save a life and is an important way to support friends, family members and neighbors.

Older adults and individuals with disabilities who may be feeling isolated or disconnected can receive support through the PA Link to Aging and Disability Resource Centers by calling 1-800-753-8827 or visiting carelink.pa.gov. Pennsylvania’s Area Agencies on Aging also offer virtual and in-person programs focused on wellness, social connection, and healthy aging.

Families caring for children when parents are unable to do so can contact the KinConnector helpline at 1-866-546-2111 or visit kinconnector.org for guidance, emotional support and help navigating available resources.

People with intellectual disabilities or autism can access tools and tips designed to help manage holiday-related stress, including strategies for sensory challenges, setting expectations, using coping skills, and prioritizing self-care. Additional resources are available at myodp.org and paautism.org.

For Pennsylvanians struggling to meet basic needs during the winter months, assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, LIHEAP and cash assistance are available year-round through COMPASS. Help is also available through both our office and the County Assistance Office for individuals who need in-person support.

No matter what you or a loved one might be facing this season, help is available, and you do not have to navigate it alone. Click here for more resources.

PECO Customer Relief Fund

Having trouble making ends meet and need a little help with the bills?

The PECO Customer Relief Fund (CRF) provides a one-time grant of $750 to customers who qualify. Apply ASAP or by Wednesday, December 31, 2025 -- First-come, first-served. (May close early if money runs out.)

* One-time grant up to $750.

* Grants will appear in qualifying customers’ bills as credits.

HOW TO APPLY

* PECO information: peco.com/relief.

* Application form on the United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey webpage: https://unitedforimpact.submittable.com/submit.

Note: To apply for PECO’s program, you will need a free Submittable account.

ELIGIBILITY

* Current PECO residential electric and/or natural gas customer.

* Owe up to $2,500 (or, with customer co-payment, can bring the balance down to $2,500).

* No theft-of-service charges on PECO account in past 12 months.

* Household annual income between 151% & 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

PECO information + application form: peco.com/relief

If your annual household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, visit peco.com/help for information on other programs.

CARIE Board of Directors Statement on Their Closing

Montco Health and Human Services Ombudsman Services

We recently learned that our community partner Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of Elders (CARIE), closed after nearly 50 years serving our community by helping older adults.

Beginning February 1, 2026, the Montgomery County Health and Human Services Office of Aging Services will begin providing Ombudsman Services directly, transitioning from its long-standing partnership with CARIE.

This change is driven by state-level budget constraints and evolving federal funding regulations. By bringing these services in-house, the Office of Aging Services will ensure that older adults continue to receive high-quality, sustainable support.

If you currently need ombudsman services or assistance, please contact CARIE at 610-860-5050 or 1-800-356-3606, or email ombudsman@carie.org.

Montco Recorder of Deeds Holiday Donation Drive

Our office is participating in the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds’ Veterans Holiday Drive.

We are collecting hats, shirts, gloves, scarves, new underwear, small hygiene products and women’s hygiene products, laundry detergent pods, non-perishable food items and individually wrapped snacks through December 31.

Please consider donating to help local veterans!

Call us at (215) 572-5210 or the Recorder of Deeds at (610) 278-3289 for more information.

You can drop off at our office, 115 E. Glenside Ave, Glenside or at their office in Norristown.

LIHEAP is Accepting Applications

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps Pennsylvanians stay safe and warm during the cold months. From December 3, 2025, through April 10, 2026, households can apply for a one-time cash grant ranging from $200 to $1,000 to help pay heating bills, with the payment sent directly to the utility provider or fuel company. If your household is experiencing a heating emergency, you may also be eligible for additional crisis funds.

Eligibility is based on household size and income, and both renters and homeowners can apply. You do not need to be enrolled in another public assistance program or have unpaid heating bills to qualify. Household size includes all people living in the home, including children, relatives and unrelated individuals who share expenses. Annual income from all household members is considered when determining eligibility.

Applications for LIHEAP can be submitted online, by mail, or in-person at your local county assistance office, and applicants must provide a recent heating bill and proof of household income. Our office can also help with your application. Additional documentation could be needed for non-U.S. citizens, households where heating is included in rent, or households with income below basic living needs. After applying, you will receive written notice of eligibility and your grant amount, usually within 30 days. LIHEAP benefits must be applied for each year, with pre-season notifications sent to previous recipients.

For households experiencing a heating crisis—such as broken equipment, lack of fuel, or imminent utility shutoff—crisis grants provide assistance quickly, typically within 10 business days. If you haven’t received a standard LIHEAP benefit this year, you must apply for the program to be considered for crisis assistance. Those who have already received LIHEAP benefits should contact their local County Assistance Office if a heating emergency arises.

You can learn more, apply online, or track your application status at trackmybenefits.pa.gov.

High Note