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.
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.
SNAP UPDATE: The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has restarted issuing full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit payments, ending the disruption created by the federal government shutdown. Benefits will be paid as quickly as possible.
SNAP Work Requirements
Starting on September 1, 2025, the federal government’s rules on how long certain people can receive SNAP benefits are changing. Certain SNAP recipients will be subject to SNAP work requirements and time limits outlined in the current federal budget bill. This webpage from the PA Department of Human Services explains the changes and the new work requirements: SNAP Work Requirements
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
COMPASS
COMPASS is an online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human service programs and manage benefit information, including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, LIHEAP and other social service programs.
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. Eligible recipients receive a Pennsylvania Access Card and select a personal identification number (PIN) to access authorized benefits.
myCompass PA mobile app
myCOMPASS PA is a mobile app for Pennsylvanians who have applied for or receive state benefits. Access your benefits from anywhere, at any time. Review what you receive, check the status of submitted applications, upload documents, and report changes directly from your phone.
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.
SNAP Work Requirements
Starting on September 1, 2025, the federal government’s rules on how long certain people can receive SNAP benefits are changing. Certain SNAP recipients will be subject to SNAP work requirements and time limits outlined in the current federal budget bill. This webpage from the PA Department of Human Services explains the changes and the new work requirements.
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.
Upload SNAP Work Requirement Documents using COMPASS (Video)
Starting on September 1, 2025, certain SNAP recipients will be subject to SNAP work requirements and time limits because of the federal budget bill passed by Congressional Republicans and signed by President Trump. This video explains how to use COMPASS to submit documentation of meeting the work requirements to the Department of Human Services.
Replacement SNAP Benefits Available for Food Lost in a Power Outage
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.
SNAP Work Requirements
Starting on September 1, 2025, the federal government’s rules on how long certain people can receive SNAP benefits are changing. Certain SNAP recipients will be subject to SNAP work requirements and time limits outlined in the current federal budget bill. This webpage from the PA Department of Human Services explains the changes and the new work requirements.
Upload SNAP Work Requirement Documents using COMPASS (Video)
Starting on September 1, 2025, certain SNAP recipients will be subject to SNAP work requirements and time limits because of the federal budget bill passed by Congressional Republicans and signed by President Trump. This video explains how to use COMPASS to submit documentation of meeting the work requirements to the Department of Human Services.
COMPASS
COMPASS is an online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human service programs and manage benefit information, including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, LIHEAP and other social service programs.
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.
myCompass PA mobile app
myCOMPASS PA is a mobile app for Pennsylvanians who have applied for or receive state benefits. Access your benefits from anywhere, at any time. Review what you receive, check the status of submitted applications, upload documents, and report changes directly from your phone.
Upload SNAP Work Requirement Documents using COMPASS (Video)
Starting on September 1, 2025, certain SNAP recipients will be subject to SNAP work requirements and time limits because of the federal budget bill passed by Congressional Republicans and signed by President Trump. This video explains how to use COMPASS to submit documentation of meeting the work requirements to the Department of Human Services.
Replacement SNAP Benefits Available for Food Lost in a Power Outage
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.
COMPASS
COMPASS is an online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human service programs and manage benefit information, including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, LIHEAP and other social service programs.
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. Eligible recipients receive a Pennsylvania Access Card and select a personal identification number (PIN) to access authorized benefits.
myCompass PA mobile app
myCOMPASS PA is a mobile app for Pennsylvanians who have applied for or receive state benefits. Access your benefits from anywhere, at any time. Review what you receive, check the status of submitted applications, upload documents, and report changes directly from your phone.
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] (March 2025)
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.
SNAP Work Requirements
Starting on September 1, 2025, the federal government’s rules on how long certain people can receive SNAP benefits are changing. Certain SNAP recipients will be subject to SNAP work requirements and time limits outlined in the current federal budget bill. This webpage from the PA Department of Human Services explains the changes and the new work requirements.
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 (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps Pennsylvanians buy food. People in eligible low-income households can obtain more nutritious diets with SNAP increasing their food purchasing power at grocery stores and supermarkets. Those who are eligible receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) ACCESS Card to make food purchases. Experiencing a food emergency and need food right away? Help is available.
Upload SNAP Work Requirement Documents using COMPASS (Video)
Starting on September 1, 2025, certain SNAP recipients will be subject to SNAP work requirements and time limits because of the federal budget bill passed by Congressional Republicans and signed by President Trump. This video explains how to use COMPASS to submit documentation of meeting the work requirements to the Department of Human Services.