Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP (Food Stamps)
Legal Information
Information and resources about the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
Application for cash assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance Benefits
You can apply for cash assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance benefits online with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Paper forms can also be printed from the website.
Food Stamp/SNAP Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the name for the Food Stamp program. This brochure from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. explains how the program works to provide food to qualified families in need.
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government whose mission is to increase citizen access to benefit information, while reducing the expense and difficulty of interacting with the government. It is a free, online confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
Application for cash assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance Benefits
You can apply for cash assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance benefits online with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Paper forms can also be printed from the website.
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government whose mission is to increase citizen access to benefit information, while reducing the expense and difficulty of interacting with the government. It is a free, online confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
Food Stamps
Information on the Food Stamp program from Neighborhood Legal Services Association.
Food Stamps Help Working Families (Audio-MP3)
6/2/2008 - Northwestern Legal Services provides an overview of Food Stamp benefits and how they can help low-income and working families, what types of items they can be used to purchase, eligibility information, and how the food stamp transactions are processed in Pennsylvania. Audio recording with written transcript.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for Households with an Elderly or Disabled Person
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on Food Stamp eligibility for households with an elderly or disabled person.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Food Stamp Homeless Shelter Deduction
Questions and answers from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia about the applications of the homeless shelter deduction in determining if a homeless person is eligible for Food Stamps. [PDF]
How to Get Child Care and Other Supportive Services When Your Family Gets Food Stamps, But Not Cash
Families that get SNAP (food stamps), but not cash assistance ("SNAP-only" households) can get many of same special allowances for supportive services (SPALs) to attend school or job skills training that cash assistance families get. This fact sheet from the Community Justice Project contains information on obtaining supportive services from the County Assistance Office if your household only receives Food Stamp Benefits
A Guide to Public Benefits
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. provides this guide to some programs that are funded by the government to provide help to individuals and families during times of need.
Am I Eligible for Public Assistance?
Information from Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid about your eligibility for cash assistance; medical assistance; food assistance; and utility assistance.
Benefits Available for Low Income Persons
A Summary of Benefits available through your County Assistance Office from Neighborhood Legal Services Association.
How to Access Benefits During Coronavirus: SNAP (Food Stamps), Medicaid, TANF & LIHEAP
If you lost a job or your hours were cut because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be eligible for SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, cash assistance (TANF) or heating bill assistance (LIHEAP).
Impact of Criminal Record on Public Benefits in Pennsylvania
Chart from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia outlining the effect on the eligibility for public benefits for people with criminal records.
Legal Help for LGBTQ+ Individuals
Community Legal Services (CLS) provides free legal assistance in civil matters for low-income residents of Philadelphia. We are strong advocates for our clients, including LGBTQ+ individuals, when they face the threat of losing their homes, incomes, health care, and even their families. We work on many legal issues including eviction, mortgage foreclosure, criminal record expungements, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and other public benefits, SSI, employment, utilities, and housing problems for people who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault.
More SNAP on your EBT Card - COVID-19 Supplement
If you get SNAP you may get extra benefits on your EBT card to help buy food during the COVID-19 Crisis. Here is information from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia on the extra benefits and who is eligible to get them.
Philly Tenant Resource Guide
This guide was produced by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia and The Legal Clinic for the Disabled to help connect low-income tenants in Philadelphia to community resources. (May 2018)
Status of Various Benefit Programs through the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services during COVID-19
Information about the status of public benefit programs during the COVID-19 Crisis.
Tips on Applying for Welfare Benefits
Helpful tips from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about filing an application for benefits from the Department of Public Welfare.
You Have the Right to Disagree with the Welfare Office
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on filing appeals to decisions made by your County Assistance Office.
Young Parents and Welfare Benefits
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project providing information about the types of benefits that might be available to young parents and pregnant teens.
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services provides information on the EBT benefit delivery system which provides public assistance recipients with electronic access to their cash and food stamp benefits.
Nutrition Assistance Programs
This booklet from the Social Security Administration provides information about SNAP/food stamps and other nutritional programs for which you may be eligible such as, the Food Program For Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Nutrition Services Incentive Program, and other nutrition assistance programs. [PDF] (June 2019)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Facts
This fact sheet from the Social Security Administration explains who can get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and how to apply for them. [PDF] (June 2019)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
An overview of Pennsylvania's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - formerly known as Food Stamps from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services - how it works, how you can apply, resource and income limits, household composition requirements, as well as details on eligible and ineligible food items.
Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT)
The Department of Human Services has launched of live hotline to assist families with the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program. Pennsylvanians who have not received their child’s P-EBT benefits or have an issue with P-EBT can dial 484-363-2137 Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.
STAY CONNECTED with the Lifeline Telephone and Broadband Assistance Program
The Lifeline Program is a federal government benefit that provides eligible low-income consumers a monthly discount on their phone or internet bill. The benefit can be used for voice (telephone), Broadband internet Access Service (or BIAS, usually called internet service), or a combined telephone/internet service product from a landline or wireless provider.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Provides Benefits for Millions of Adults Ages 50 and Older
Fact Sheet providing information on federal programs that provide nutrition assistance to older Americans from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). [PDF] (April 2018)