Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) and Other Food Programs
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.
Lost Food During a Power Outage? You May Qualify for Replacement SNAP Benefits
If you get SNAP (food stamps) and you lost food during a power outage, fire, or other household misfortune, tell the County Assistance Office right away! You may qualify for replacement benefits.
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.
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
Food Stamp/SNAP Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the name for the Food Stamp program. This brochure from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network explains how the program works to provide food to qualified families in need.
Protect Your Benefits - Lock Your EBT Card
Information on a new security feature that allows Pennsylvanians who receive public benefits to lock their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card when not in use to prevent those benefits from being stolen. EBT cards are used for benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other cash benefits.
SUN Bucks Eligibility Navigator
The SUN Bucks Eligibility Navigator provides a quick way to check your child's eligibility for the SUN Bucks, Pennsylvania’s Summer EBT program. Answer some questions to determine if your child is automatically eligible for SUN Bucks, or if you will need to apply in order to be determined eligible for SUN Bucks.
SUN Bucks: Pennsylvania’s Summer EBT program
SUN Bucks, Pennsylvania’s Summer EBT program, is a new grocery benefits program that provides households with a one-time payment of $120 for each eligible child to buy food while school is out. Benefits can be used at local participating retailers to purchase groceries. Many children will get these benefits automatically, but some households will need to apply. The benefits will be added to an existing SNAP/TANF EBT card or a newly issued Summer EBT card. Note: Benefits for Summer of 2025 will begin being issued to all eligible children in mid-July.
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.
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
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.
Local County Assistance Offices
County Assistance Offices are located throughout Pennsylvania. You can submit applications and renewals at your local county assistance office drop box or online using COMPASS. Caseworkers are available at the county assistance office to help you and answer your questions in person or over the phone, if the office is closed to the public. This is a listing of the location and how to contact local County Assistance Offices in Pennsylvania.
Lost Food During a Power Outage? You May Qualify for Replacement SNAP Benefits
If you get SNAP (food stamps) and you lost food during a power outage, fire, or other household misfortune, tell the County Assistance Office right away! You may qualify for replacement benefits.
A Guide to Public Benefits
The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network 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 Summit Legal Aid, formerly Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid, about your eligibility for cash assistance; medical assistance; food assistance; and utility assistance. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Benefits Available for Low Income Persons
A Summary of Benefits available through your County Assistance Office from Neighborhood Legal Services Association.
Food Stamp/SNAP Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the name for the Food Stamp program. This brochure from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network explains how the program works to provide food to qualified families in need.
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.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) [formerly Food Stamps] from Neighborhood Legal Services.
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.
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.
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)
Protect Your Benefits - Lock Your EBT Card
Information on a new security feature that allows Pennsylvanians who receive public benefits to lock their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card when not in use to prevent those benefits from being stolen. EBT cards are used for benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other cash benefits.
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.
SUN Bucks Eligibility Navigator
The SUN Bucks Eligibility Navigator provides a quick way to check your child's eligibility for the SUN Bucks, Pennsylvania’s Summer EBT program. Answer some questions to determine if your child is automatically eligible for SUN Bucks, or if you will need to apply in order to be determined eligible for SUN Bucks.
SUN Bucks: Pennsylvania’s Summer EBT program
SUN Bucks, Pennsylvania’s Summer EBT program, is a new grocery benefits program that provides households with a one-time payment of $120 for each eligible child to buy food while school is out. Benefits can be used at local participating retailers to purchase groceries. Many children will get these benefits automatically, but some households will need to apply. The benefits will be added to an existing SNAP/TANF EBT card or a newly issued Summer EBT card. Note: Benefits for Summer of 2025 will begin being issued to all eligible children in mid-July.
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.