In Pennsylvania, apply for SNAP online at COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov), in person at your County Assistance Office, or by mailing a paper application. The Department of Human Services (DHS) runs the program statewide. Pennsylvania uses a 200% of poverty gross income limit, about $5,500 a month for four from October 2026, and has no asset test. One 2026 change to know: since February 9, 2026, you must prove your rent and utility costs, or your benefit is figured without those deductions.
Benefits come on the Pennsylvania ACCESS card. DHS said in October 2025 that nearly two million Pennsylvanians get SNAP.
Pennsylvania SNAP at a glance
| Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
| Run by | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, through County Assistance Offices |
| Apply online | COMPASS: compass.dhs.pa.gov |
| Help lines | DHS helpline 1-800-692-7462; Customer Service Center 1-877-395-8930 (Philadelphia 215-560-7226) |
| Track your application | trackmybenefits.pa.gov |
| Gross income limit | 200% of poverty |
| Asset test | None |
| EBT card | Pennsylvania ACCESS card, 1-888-328-7366 (24/7) |
| Apps | myCOMPASS PA, ConnectEBT |
| Summer EBT 2026 | Yes, $120 per child |
Pennsylvania income limits
| Household size | Oct 2025 to Sept 2026 (official) | From Oct 1, 2026 (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,610 | $2,660 |
| 2 | $3,526 | $3,608 |
| 3 | $4,442 | $4,554 |
| 4 | $5,360 | $5,500 |
| 5 | $6,276 | $6,448 |
| 6 | $7,192 | $7,394 |
| 7 | $8,110 | $8,340 |
| 8 | $9,026 | $9,288 |
| Each extra | +$918 | +$948 |
The first column is from DHS. The October 2026 column is our calculation using USDA’s new poverty figures and the same method that reproduces DHS’s current table exactly. DHS hadn’t posted its new table when we checked.
How to apply
- COMPASS online. Create an account to save and return. You can upload documents.
- County Assistance Office. Apply in person or drop off a paper application. Find your office on the DHS site.
- Mail a paper application to your County Assistance Office.
- Interview within the 30-day window, usually by phone; see SNAP interview tips.
- Track it at trackmybenefits.pa.gov.
If you have almost no money this month, ask for expedited SNAP.
New in 2026: prove your housing costs
Starting February 9, 2026, Pennsylvania requires proof of shelter and utility costs. If you don’t send it, DHS calculates your benefit without those deductions, which can cut your benefit a lot.
| Send this | Examples |
|---|---|
| Rent | Lease, rent receipt, landlord statement |
| Mortgage | Mortgage statement, property tax and homeowners insurance bills |
| Utilities | A recent heating, electric or phone bill |
Example: a single mom with two kids pays $1,000 rent. With proof, most of that can be deducted as excess shelter costs. Without proof, it can’t, and her benefit could drop by a few hundred dollars. See SNAP benefit amounts.
Cards, apps and card lock
Your Pennsylvania ACCESS card works like a debit card. The ConnectEBT website and app let you check your balance and lock the card: everywhere, outside Pennsylvania, or with an automatic re-lock after 30, 60 or 90 minutes. That’s one of the better theft protections in any state. Use it; see stolen SNAP benefits. The myCOMPASS PA app shows your balance and lets you report changes.
Deposits arrive over the first 10 business days of the month, based on the last digit of your case number. See the EBT deposit schedule.
SUN Bucks in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania took part in Summer EBT in 2026: $120 per child, with about 1.2 million children eligible and more than $131 million sent to about 1 million children by late August. See Summer EBT.
What changed under the 2025 federal law
According to DHS (March 2026):
- The work time limit now covers ages 18 to 64 and parents whose youngest child is 14 or older, from November 1, 2025. See SNAP work requirements.
- Noncitizen eligibility narrowed on November 1, 2025, affecting about 19,600 people. See SNAP for immigrants.
- 83,334 people had lost SNAP since June 1, 2025.
During the November 2025 federal shutdown, Pennsylvania released full November benefits within 24 hours after the shutdown ended.
Error rate and costs
Pennsylvania’s FY2025 payment error rate was 9.21%, below the national 10.62%, but high enough that the state could owe 10% of benefit costs from fiscal 2028. DHS estimates the new administrative cost share alone costs about $120 million a year.
More states and topics: SNAP and EBT guides. Every state’s portal: how to apply for SNAP. SNAP also qualifies you for a Lifeline free government phone plan.
Sources: PA DHS: SNAP, PA: Apply for SNAP, PA DHS: EBT, PA DHS: Federal cuts (shelter verification), PA DHS: H.R. 1 update slides (March 2026), PA DHS: SUN Bucks deadline, PA DHS: November 2025 benefits, USDA: Broad-based categorical eligibility, USDA: FY2027 cost-of-living adjustments, USDA: FY2025 payment error rates by state.