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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Woman with children, having milk and cookies.The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the Food Stamp program. SNAP benefits are used to buy food and help low-income households in Pennsylvania obtain more nutritious diets by increasing the food purchasing power at grocery stores and supermarkets for all eligible participants. If you do not have enough money to buy food for yourself and your family, you can receive a Pennsylvania Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) ACCESS Card. This card works like a bank debit card and allows you to make food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets.

How to Apply:

You can apply for and renew your benefits from the comfort of your home using COMPASS, the online resource for cash assistance, SNAP (Food Stamps), help with child care, health care coverage, home heating assistance (LIHEAP), school meals, SelectPlan for Women and long-term living services. You can also:

Application for Food Stamps (English version)

Solicitud para recibir beneficios (Solicitud para recibir beneficios)

If you need help completing the application form or need more information about benefits, trained County Assistance Office staff can help you.

The following persons may apply:

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


What are the eligibility requirements?

To get SNAP benefits, your income has to be under certain limits. The current SNAP income limits can be viewed on this page.

SNAP households may recieve deductions from their gross income for things like housing costs, child or dependent care payments, and medical expenses over $35 for elderly or disabled people.

More information about the eligibility requirements for SNAP can be found in the SNAP Handbook.


How do SNAP benefits Work?

SNAP benefits are placed in an "electronic" account that only the recipient can use. This system is called Electronic Benefits Transfer or EBT. The recipient receives a plastic card, the Pennsylvania EBT ACCESS Card. This card allows withdrawals for food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets. The store simply uses the EBT ACCESS card to "electronically" subtract purchases from the food stamp account. The recipient can only spend the amount that is in the account. This is not a credit card.


Questions Regarding SNAP Benefits

If you have questions about SNAP you may call the Department of Public Welfare Helpline toll-free at 1-800-692-7462 (1-800-451-5886 TDD number for individuals with hearing impairments) or your local County Assistance Office.


General Information About SNAP