SNAP: Who’s eligible and how to apply

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Who’s eligible, how to apply

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps Pennsylvanians buy food.People in eligible low-income households can obtain more nutritious diets with SNAP, increasing their food purchasing power at grocery stores and supermarkets.The below information is provided by the Department of Human Services.SNAP factsThere are 1.88 million people on SNAP in Pennsylvania.667,153 are children353,159 are older adults485,813 have disabilitiesHow to applyIf you don’t know if you’re eligible for SNAP, you can still apply.Online: Apply for or renew your SNAP benefits online by using COMPASS.In person: File an application at your county assistance office. You can download an application, fill it out and return it to your county assistance office.If you need help completing the application form or need more information about benefits, county assistance office staff can help you in person.The following can apply:The head of the householdThe spouse of the head of householdAny other responsible household memberA designated authorized representative (can be a friend, relative, neighbor, or anyone else the applicant trusts to go food shopping and use their SNAP benefits)Maximum benefit amountsOne person: $291Two people: $535Three people: $766Four people: $973Five people: $1,155Six people: $1,386Seven people: $1,532Eight people: $1,751Each additional person: Add $219Income limitsTo get SNAP benefits, your income has to be under certain limits.There are a few factors that contribute to SNAP allowances and income limits in Pennsylvania, including household size, monthly income and if a member of your household is 60 years old or older or has a disability.SNAP households may receive deductions from their gross income for things like housing costs, child or dependent care payments, and medical expenses of more than $35 for older adults or people with disabilities.The best way to determine if your household will qualify for SNAP is to apply.The following maximum gross monthly income amounts went into effect on Oct. 1, 2023:One person: $2,430Two people: $3,288Three people: $4,144Four people: $5,000Five people: $5,858Six people: $6,714Seven people: $7,570Eight people: $8,428Nine people: $9,28610 people: $10,144Each additional member: +$858Go here to learn more about eligibility requirements for SNAP.College students may also qualify for SNAP benefits. Find out more here.How do SNAP benefits work?SNAP benefits are placed in an electronic account that only the recipient can use. The eligible household receives a Pennsylvania electronic benefits transfer ACCESS card, which allows withdrawals for food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets. The eligible household can only spend the amount that’s in the account. This is not a credit card.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps Pennsylvanians buy food.

People in eligible low-income households can obtain more nutritious diets with SNAP, increasing their food purchasing power at grocery stores and supermarkets.

The below information is provided by the Department of Human Services.

SNAP facts

There are 1.88 million people on SNAP in Pennsylvania.

667,153 are children
353,159 are older adults
485,813 have disabilities

How to apply

If you don’t know if you’re eligible for SNAP, you can still apply.

If you need help completing the application form or need more information about benefits, county assistance office staff can help you in person.

The following can apply:

The head of the household
The spouse of the head of household
Any other responsible household member
A designated authorized representative (can be a friend, relative, neighbor, or anyone else the applicant trusts to go food shopping and use their SNAP benefits)

Maximum benefit amounts

One person: $291
Two people: $535
Three people: $766
Four people: $973
Five people: $1,155
Six people: $1,386
Seven people: $1,532
Eight people: $1,751
Each additional person: Add $219

Income limits

To get SNAP benefits, your income has to be under certain limits.

There are a few factors that contribute to SNAP allowances and income limits in Pennsylvania, including household size, monthly income and if a member of your household is 60 years old or older or has a disability.

SNAP households may receive deductions from their gross income for things like housing costs, child or dependent care payments, and medical expenses of more than $35 for older adults or people with disabilities.

The best way to determine if your household will qualify for SNAP is to apply.

The following maximum gross monthly income amounts went into effect on Oct. 1, 2023:

One person: $2,430
Two people: $3,288
Three people: $4,144
Four people: $5,000
Five people: $5,858
Six people: $6,714
Seven people: $7,570
Eight people: $8,428
Nine people: $9,286
10 people: $10,144
Each additional member: +$858

Go here to learn more about eligibility requirements for SNAP.

College students may also qualify for SNAP benefits. Find out more here.

How do SNAP benefits work?

SNAP benefits are placed in an electronic account that only the recipient can use. The eligible household receives a Pennsylvania electronic benefits transfer ACCESS card, which allows withdrawals for food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets. The eligible household can only spend the amount that’s in the account. This is not a credit card.

Daily News