Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services has announced that extra food stamps are indeed being provided this month. The aim of this effort is to ensure that families have access to the resources they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional benefits are part of the Pandemic-EBT program, which extends support to children who have been impacted by school closures. Households that qualify for these benefits will automatically receive them through their EBT cards.
Pennsylvania Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. In Pennsylvania, SNAP is administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
SNAP Benefits in Pennsylvania
- SNAP benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
- The amount of SNAP benefits you receive depends on your household size and income.
- SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.
SNAP Eligibility in Pennsylvania
To be eligible for SNAP benefits in Pennsylvania, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a resident of Pennsylvania.
- Have a household income below the SNAP income limit.
- Have resources (such as cash, savings, and investments) below the SNAP resource limit.
- Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen.
How to Apply for SNAP Benefits in Pennsylvania
You can apply for SNAP benefits online, by mail, or in person at your local DHS office. The application process typically takes about 30 days.
SNAP Benefit Amounts in Pennsylvania
The amount of SNAP benefits you receive depends on your household size and income. The following table shows the maximum SNAP benefit amounts for households of different sizes in Pennsylvania:
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $250 |
| 2 | $458 |
| 3 | $658 |
| 4 | $835 |
| 5 | $992 |
| 6 | $1,148 |
| 7 | $1,298 |
| 8 | $1,449 |
Note: These benefit amounts are subject to change.
Special SNAP Issuances in Pennsylvania
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. To help people cope with the economic impact of COVID-19, the federal government authorized several rounds of emergency SNAP allotments in 2020 and 2021. These extra benefits were provided in addition to regular SNAP benefits.
In Pennsylvania, emergency SNAP allotments were issued to all eligible households in the months of April, May, June, July, and August 2020. The amount of the extra benefit was equal to the maximum SNAP benefit amount for the household size. For example, a household of four would have received an extra $646 in April 2020.
In addition to the emergency SNAP allotments, Pennsylvania also issued special SNAP issuances in the months of September, October, November, and December 2020. These special issuances were provided to households that had already received the maximum SNAP benefit amount for their household size. The amount of the special issuance was $95 for a household of one, $190 for a household of two, $285 for a household of three, and so on.
In 2021, Pennsylvania continued to issue special SNAP issuances in the months of January, February, March, and April. The amount of the special issuance was $95 for a household of one, $190 for a household of two, $285 for a household of three, and so on.
The special SNAP issuances ended in April 2021. As of May 2021, there are no plans to extend the extra benefits.
Important Dates for SNAP Benefits in Pennsylvania
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 1st of the Month | Benefits issued to households with last names beginning with A-H |
| 10th of the Month | Benefits issued to households with last names beginning with I-P |
| 15th of the Month | Benefits issued to households with last names beginning with Q-Z |
| 20th of the Month | Benefits issued to households that did not receive benefits on one of the previous dates |
Emergency SNAP Allotments in Pennsylvania
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, provides food-purchasing assistance to low-income individuals and families. In Pennsylvania, SNAP benefits are typically distributed on a monthly basis, and the amount of benefits a household receives is based on its income and household size. In response to the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has provided additional SNAP benefits, known as emergency allotments, to all SNAP households since April 2020. These emergency allotments have been extended several times and are currently scheduled to continue through September 2023.
How Much Are the Extra Food Stamps?
- The amount of the emergency allotments varies depending on household size, but all SNAP households are receiving the maximum benefit amount each month.
- For a household of one person, the emergency allotment is $95 per month.
- For a household of two people, the emergency allotment is $194 per month.
- For a household of three people, the emergency allotment is $291 per month.
- For a household of four people, the emergency allotment is $388 per month.
- For households with five or more people, the emergency allotment is $485 per month.
In addition to the emergency allotments, SNAP households in Pennsylvania also receive a regular monthly SNAP benefit based on their income and household size. The amount of the regular SNAP benefit varies depending on these factors, but the maximum regular SNAP benefit for a household of four people is $835 per month.
When Will I Get My Extra Food Stamps?
Emergency SNAP allotments are typically issued on the same day each month that a household’s regular SNAP benefits are issued. In Pennsylvania, SNAP benefits are issued on a staggered schedule, with benefits for the first half of the month issued on the 1st and 2nd of the month, and benefits for the second half of the month issued on the 15th and 16th of the month. The exact date that a household receives its emergency SNAP allotment will depend on its regular SNAP issuance date.
How Can I Use My Extra Food Stamps?
Emergency SNAP allotments can be used to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers, including grocery stores, farmers markets, and convenience stores. To use your emergency SNAP allotment, simply swipe your SNAP EBT card at the checkout counter and enter your PIN. You can also use your SNAP EBT card to purchase food online from select retailers.
What If I Don’t Use All of My Extra Food Stamps?
Any unused emergency SNAP allotment benefits will be carried over to the following month. However, emergency SNAP allotment benefits cannot be saved or accumulated for more than one month. If you do not use all of your emergency SNAP allotment benefits in a given month, the unused benefits will be forfeited.
When Will the Extra Food Stamps Stop?
The emergency SNAP allotments are currently scheduled to continue through September 2023. However, the federal government could extend the emergency allotments beyond this date if the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Table: Emergency SNAP Allotment Amounts by Household Size
| Household Size | Emergency SNAP Allotment |
|---|---|
| 1 | $95 |
| 2 | $194 |
| 3 | $291 |
| 4 | $388 |
| 5 or more | $485 |
COVID-19 Pandemic-Related SNAP Benefits in Pennsylvania
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided emergency allotments of food stamps to all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. These additional benefits were available between April 2020 and September 2021 and helped millions of families struggling to make ends meet due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
- In Pennsylvania, the maximum amount of SNAP benefits increased by $47 per person, per month, as a result of the emergency allotments.
- For example, a single adult living in Pennsylvania received $250 per month in SNAP benefits prior to the pandemic. With the emergency allotments, they received $307 per month.
The emergency allotments ended in September 2021, but SNAP benefits remained higher than the pre-pandemic levels due to a temporary increase in the federal poverty level. This increase was extended through September 2023 by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.
As a result, SNAP recipients in Pennsylvania are still receiving additional benefits. The average increase in SNAP benefits for a one-person household in Pennsylvania is $45 per month.
| Household Size | Benefit Increase |
|---|---|
| 1 | $45 |
| 2 | $85 |
| 3 | $125 |
| 4 | $165 |
| 5 | $205 |
| 6 | $245 |
| 7 | $285 |
| 8 | $325 |
For more information about SNAP benefits in Pennsylvania, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website.
Hey there, folks! Thanks for sticking with me through this journey of food stamp updates in Pennsylvania. I know it can be tough to keep up with all the changes, but I’m here to help make sense of it all. If you have any more questions or concerns, feel free to drop me a line. In the meantime, keep an eye out for more updates and information coming your way. Until next time, stay safe and keep your bellies full!