Pennsylvania's general assistance program is on the chopping block as part of Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget, and that means more than 70,000 Pennsylvanians could soon be cut off.

Because of the budget crisis, the state said it had to make some tough choices, but human services officials said the cuts are a low blow.

Sally Lynn has been battling crack cocaine and alcohol addiction for much of her adult life.

"I came to Safe Harbor to get help," said Lynn, 42.

Part of that help is also getting treatment for ADHD and bipolar disorder. Lynn has been clean and sober for seven months.

Each month, Lynn and 70,000 other Pennsylvanians get a check for an average of $205 from the state's general assistance program.

"If that would get cut, I don't know where I would be," said Lynn.

That is exactly what is expected to happen July 1 if the current version of Corbett's budget is passed.

"They are people who have disabilities and are waiting for the federal programs, SSI and SSD, which are for people with disabilities," said Kathryn Hoffman, food stamp outreach coordinator for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Without the cash help, Hoffman many of the 70,000, including a large number of veterans, will end up homeless.

"These aren't people who are wasting taxpayer money. These are the poorest among us," said Hoffman.

"It's not something we want to do. It's something we have to do," said Anne Bale, spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Welfare.

In a tough budget process, Bale said the state had to keep federally mandated programs and cut programs funded solely by the state.

Pennsylvania is reimbursed for some of the program costs by the federal government, but Bale said cutting the program, while not an easy decision, will save the state $150 million.

"They may qualify for additional programs, and their medical component is not going away. It is just the cash component," said Bale.

The program cut is expected to be finalized with the budget on June 30.