As you may know, REAL ID is now available for Pennsylvanians who want one. Effective October 1, 2020, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID to enter federal facilities that require identification, a military installation and board a domestic commercial flight. To get your REAL ID, gather the following documents: Proof of identity: (original or certified copy of a birth certificate or valid, unexpired U.S. Passport or passport card. Social Security Card Two proofs of current, physical PA address: examples include current, unexpired PA license or ID, PA vehicle registration, auto insurance card, or utility bill with the same name and address. Proof of all legal name changes: Certified marriage certificate, court order or divorce decree issued by your county’s family court. Visit one of the 12 PennDOT REAL ID Centers to receive your REAL ID at the time of service or your local PennDOT Driver License Center to receive your REAL ID within 15 business days. You DO NOT need a REAL ID to: Drive. Vote. Access hospitals. Visit the post office. Access federal courts. Apply for or receive federal benefits, such as Social Security or veterans’ benefits. A REAL ID driver's license or photo ID costs a one-time fee of $30, plus a renewal fee ($30.50 for a four-year, non-commercial driver's license or photo ID). More information on REAL ID is available here . Read more

A group of House Democrats and Republican lawmakers have proposed several reforms to the House rules at the start of the 2019-2020 legislative session. Samuelson and his colleagues first proposed the House rules forms on Jan. 1. They said they will continue working with Democratic and Republican colleagues willing to jointhem and good government groups to improve the legislative process. Read more

Forms for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for the 2018 tax year are available – and my office staff is ready to help you file yours for free! Read more

BETHLEHEM, Jan. 9 – State Rep. Steve Samuelson today delivered 3,106 children’s and adult diapers donated by area residents during his holiday diaper drive to the Salvation Army of Bethlehem. Read more

Please download and enjoy this free 2019 calendar featuring seasonal photos of our beautiful state Capitol. Read more

BETHLEHEM, Nov. 28 – State Reps. Steve Samuelson and Bob Freeman, both D-Northampton, will be accepting donations of children’s and adult diapers at their constituent services offices. The diaper drive will be held from Dec. 3-21 at Freeman’s office at 215 Northampton St., Easton and Samuelson’s office at 104 E. Broad St., Bethlehem. “I am encouraging everyone to donate diapers during this holiday season because many families in our community struggle to cover the cost of diapers, and having an adequate supply of diapers available is a basic necessity for those who care for children and incontinent seniors,” Samuelson said. Samuelson and Freeman said they are accepting adult and children’s disposable diapers including newborn to size six, as well as adult diapers and undergarments sizes small, medium, large and extra-large. “The diaper drive will greatly help families with what can be a sizeable part of a limited family budget,” Freeman said “We are seeking to collect diapers to help needy families because there is no federal or state safety-net program to specifically cover the cost of diapers, which can run $900 or more per year,” Samuelson said. “And our network of food banks in the Lehigh Valley do not receive regular donations of diapers. Many families and seniors on fixed incomes are simply unable to afford disposable diapers and undergarments. “Infants and Read more

As Veterans Day nears, I wanted to share information on programs that benefit veterans and their families. To those from Northampton County who have bravely served our country, thank you and Happy Veterans Day. Read more

The 2018-2019 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program – LIHEAP – is accepting applications for heating assistance grants. LIHEAP offers cash grants of $200 to $1,000 that are sent directly to the utility company to defray heating costs for eligible households, and crisis benefits of up to $600 for households in immediate danger of being without heat. Remember: These are grants and do not have to be repaid. This season’s income guidelines for both LIHEAP cash and crisis grants are $18,210 for an individual, $24,690 for couples and increases for each additional person in the household. Please click here for more LIHEAP information. Please consider visiting my office if you need help filing a LIHEAP application. Besides my office, LIHEAP information is available by: Contacting local County Assistance offices by phone or in person. Calling the LIHEAP Client Helpline at 1-866-857-7095 or PA Relay at 711 for the hearing impaired. Applying online at https://www.compass.state.pa.us . Read more

I voted for legislation that would allow more senior citizens in Northampton County and across the state pay for their prescription medication. Putting people first and focusing on health care is part of the House Democrats' Plan for Pennsylvania. Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 19 – A bill introduced by state Reps. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton, and Frank Farry, R-Bucks, that would open the PACENET prescription assistance program to thousands more seniors is on its way to the governor’s desk. House Bill 270, which passed unanimously in the House and Senate in the closing days of the legislative session, would increase the income limits for PACENET from $23,500 to $27,500 for individuals and from $31,500 to $35,500 for married couples. “This is the first time in 15 years we have increased the income limits for PACENET,” said Samuelson, Democratic chairman of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee. “This increase will not only allow nearly 3,000 PACENET enrollees whose incomes had risen above the limits this year to remain in the program, but will make thousands of seniors across the state eligible for the prescription assistance for the first time.” The Department of Aging estimates more than 14,000 new seniors will enroll in PACENET over the next two-and-a-half years. PACE and PACENET are lottery-funded programs that provide low-cost prescriptions to eligible seniors. “We need to remain vigilant that income limits for our senior programs, including PACENET, keep pace with inflation,” Samuelson said. “Our seniors should never have to choose between paying for medicine and paying for heat, rent or food.” The Read more