How to Apply for SNAP Benefits in Pennsylvania

You can apply for SNAP benefits in Pennsylvania through three main channels: online, in-person, or by submitting an application by mail.

Online Application

The quickest way to apply is online through the state’s COMPASS portal. This platform allows you to submit your application and upload necessary documents from home, saving you a trip to a local office.

To apply, visit the Pennsylvania DHS website. You will need to create a COMPASS account to start your application, which you can save and return to later before submitting it electronically.

In-Person Application

Applying in person allows you to receive direct assistance from a caseworker. You can visit your local County Assistance Office to fill out and submit your application, ask questions, and provide your documents directly.

Find your local County Assistance Office and visit during business hours. Staff can help you complete the form and will tell you which documents you need to provide for your household’s situation.

Mail-In Application

If you prefer a paper application, you can download the form online or request one from your county office. This method is useful if you lack reliable internet access or prefer keeping physical records.

Download the application from the state's website or call your County Assistance Office to have one mailed. Complete the form and mail it to your county office for processing.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for SNAP, you must live in the Pennsylvania county where you apply. All applying household members must be U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens and have a Social Security number.

Most households must meet both gross and net income limits based on size. For example, a one-person household has a gross monthly limit of $2,510. Households with a member over 60 or with a disability have different requirements.

There are also resource limits, typically $2,750 per household. This increases to $4,250 if a member is elderly or disabled. Your home, one vehicle per adult, and retirement accounts are not counted.

Able-bodied applicants between 16 and 59 must register for work and accept suitable job offers. Stricter work requirements for adults without dependents will resume in some areas on June 1, 2025.

College students may be eligible if they meet an exemption, such as working 20 hours per week, caring for a young child, or participating in a federal work-study program.

Once approved, you can check your real-time SNAP and EBT Cash balance with the Benny app, which also provides cashback from participating stores.

How to Contact EBT Customer Service in Pennsylvania

• For application help, call the DHS Helpline at 1-800-692-7462.

• Live operators can answer your questions about SNAP and other benefits.

• They are available Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern.

See Pennsylvania EBT Customer Service Contacts

How to Use Your SNAP Benefits in Pennsylvania

Once approved for SNAP, you'll want to know how to use your benefits, what you can buy, and where to shop.

What is an EBT Card and How to Use it?

Your SNAP benefits are loaded onto an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card each month. Think of it like a debit card, but specifically for your food assistance. It makes buying groceries simple and discreet.

Using your EBT card is easy. At checkout, you just swipe the card at the point-of-sale (POS) machine and enter your four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN). The process works just like using a regular debit card.

What Can You Buy with SNAP Benefits?

Your SNAP benefits are intended for purchasing staple food items that you can prepare at home. This generally covers most groceries that make up a healthy diet, allowing you to stock your pantry and refrigerator with nutritious options for your household.

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, poultry, and fish

• Dairy products like milk and cheese

• Breads and cereals

• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages

• Seeds and plants that produce food

It's also important to know what you cannot buy with your EBT card. The program has specific restrictions, and benefits cannot be used for non-food items or for foods that are sold hot and ready to eat at the point of sale.

• Alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, or liquor

• Hot foods that are ready to eat

• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements

• Non-food items such as cleaning supplies, pet food, and cosmetics

How to Manage Your SNAP Benefits

Staying on top of your SNAP benefits helps you budget effectively and make sure you never miss a payment or renewal.

EBT Deposit Schedule in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania deposits SNAP benefits based on the last digit of your case number. Knowing your specific payment date helps you budget for groceries and manage your funds throughout the month.

You can find your specific payment date in our Pennsylvania deposit schedule.

See Pennsylvania EBT deposit schedule for 2025

How to Check Your EBT Card Balance

You can check your balance through the ConnectEBT online portal, by calling the number on your card, or by checking your latest store receipt.

The Benny app also lets you view your balance and earn cashback.

Check out our guide covering each method on how to check your EBT balance.

Check Your Pennsylvania EBT Balance

Manage your SNAP Benefits and Get Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that helps you track your EBT balance in real-time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and others.

To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny and receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items.

Download Benny to take control of your spending and get more out of your EBT benefits.