Pennsylvania - Department of Public Welfare

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Food Stamps

Woman with children, having milk and cookies.Food stamps 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, 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 food stamp benefits.

What are the income eligibility requirements?

Income Limits (revised annually)

Household
Size

Maximum Gross
Monthly Income

Maximum Net
Monthly Income

Maximum Monthly
Food Stamp Benefit

1

$1,127

$867

$176

2

1,517

1,167

323

3

1,907

1,467

463

4

2,297

1,767

588

5

2,687

2,067

698

6

3,077

2,367

838

7

3,467

2,667

926

8

3,857

2,967

1058

9

4,247

3,267

1,190

10

4,637

3,567

1,322

Each additional
member

+390

+300

+132

Income includes earned income such as wages and salaries, and unearned income such as public assistance payments, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Unemployment Compensation (UC), retirement benefits, disability benefits and pensions.

How Food Stamps Work

Food stamp 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 Food Stamp Benefits

If you have questions about the Food Stamp Program 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 Food Stamps