While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.
SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.
The Pennsylvania SNAP food assistance program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). Learn more about SNAP on the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:
See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.
There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.
SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.
To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.
| Household Number | Federal Maximum Allotment Per Month |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each additional household member | +219 |
You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.
To learn more about your benefit amount in Pennsylvania, click here.
To qualify for SNAP in Pennsylvania, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about Pennsylvania’s income limits and other eligibility criteria here.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Pennsylvania Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) website here. You can also view a copy of the application here to see what information is required.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on Pennsylvania’s COMPASS Portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest Pennsylvania Division of Welfare office location.
To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the Application for Benefits found here and send it to your local DHS office here.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Helpline at 1 (800) 692-7462.
If you are hard of hearing, you can contact the TDD helpline at 1 (800) 451-5886.
For a list of SNAP applications in a different language, click here.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for SNAP online, by mail or in person, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Human Services (DHS) with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.
(Note: this process may take longer due to COVID-19. Call 1 (800) 692-7462 for additional information)
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or the EBT hotline at 1 (888) 328-7366.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
Before requesting a Fair Hearing, remember to choose whether you would like a telephone hearing or an in-person hearing.
To file a request for a Fair Hearing by phone, by mail or in person.
To file an appeal by phone, you will need to call your local County Assistance Office (CAO) here and have your determination letter on hand.
To file an appeal for a Fair Hearing by mail, fill out a Fair Hearing Request form found here and mail it to your local CAO, which you can locate here.
To file for a fair hearing in person, you will need to visit your local County Assistance Office (CAO) found here and speak with a representative about a Fair Hearing and how to fill out a request form.
For more information about Fair Hearings, click here.
Instructions on how to fill out a Fair Hearing request can be found on the application here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-7366.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services EBT card page here.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Pennsylvania’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 328-7366.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a County Assistance office in Pennsylvania.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Helpline at 1 (800) 692-7462.
If you are hard of hearing, you can contact the TDD helpline at 1 (800) 451-5886.
You can also visit or call a local County Assistance Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Pennsylvania Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) website here. You can also view a copy of the application here to see what information is required.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on Pennsylvania’s COMPASS Portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest Pennsylvania Division of Welfare office location.
To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the Application for Benefits found here and send it to your local DHS office here.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Helpline at 1 (800) 692-7462.
If you are hard of hearing, you can contact the TDD helpline at 1 (800) 451-5886.
For a list of SNAP applications in a different language, click here.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for SNAP online, by mail or in person, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Human Services (DHS) with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.
(Note: this process may take longer due to COVID-19. Call 1 (800) 692-7462 for additional information)
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or the EBT hotline at 1 (888) 328-7366.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
Before requesting a Fair Hearing, remember to choose whether you would like a telephone hearing or an in-person hearing.
To file a request for a Fair Hearing by phone, by mail or in person.
To file an appeal by phone, you will need to call your local County Assistance Office (CAO) here and have your determination letter on hand.
To file an appeal for a Fair Hearing by mail, fill out a Fair Hearing Request form found here and mail it to your local CAO, which you can locate here.
To file for a fair hearing in person, you will need to visit your local County Assistance Office (CAO) found here and speak with a representative about a Fair Hearing and how to fill out a request form.
For more information about Fair Hearings, click here.
Instructions on how to fill out a Fair Hearing request can be found on the application here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-7366.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services EBT card page here.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Pennsylvania’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 328-7366.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a County Assistance office in Pennsylvania.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Helpline at 1 (800) 692-7462.
If you are hard of hearing, you can contact the TDD helpline at 1 (800) 451-5886.
You can also visit or call a local County Assistance Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024