The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) recently updated the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to increase SNAP income and benefits.
Changes to Pennsylvania SNAP Benefits and Income Limits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) stamp is the federal government’s nutrition program that provides food purchasing ability to eligible low-income individuals.
The FNS annually reviews the SNAP income eligibility threshold, the maximum number of savings vouchers, and the minimum benefit amount.
As assured by the department, the recently announced changes would benefit all SNAP recipients, and benefits could increase after the changes. The changes have been in effect since October 1, 2023 and will remain in effect until September 30, 2024.
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DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh said of the changes to federal program eligibility: “SNAP is the nation’s largest hunger-relief program that helps more than 1.9 million Pennsylvanians to purchase food for themselves and their families, and these updates to SNAP benefits will help recipients increase their purchasing power and meet their nutritional needs. DHS will always help Pennsylvanians facing food insecurity keep food on their tables, and I strongly encourage anyone in need of food assistance to apply for SNAP.
Pennsylvania citizens can refer to their eligibility and apply for the program to receive program benefits.
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Factors that could lead to higher SNAP benefits and income limits in Pennsylvania are family size, family income, and whether a household has a person age 60 or a person with a disability.
According to DHS, the following table shows new changes to SNAP income limits that have been implemented since October 1, 2023.
| Household size | Maximum gross monthly income |
| 1 | $2,430 |
| 2 | $3,288 |
| 3 | $4,144 |
| 4 | $5,000 |
| 5 | $5,858 |
| 6 | $6,714 |
| 7 | $7,570 |
| 8 | $8,428 |
| 9 | $9,286 |
| ten | $10,114 |
| Each additional member | +858$ |
Additionally, the department amended the Maximum Thrifty Food Plan, which also took effect October 1, 2023. (The Maximum Thrifty Food Plan is the maximum benefits a family can receive under SNAP).
Here you can search for changes in the Maximum Thrifty eating plan.
| Household size | Maximum Thrifty Food Plan |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| 9 | $1,970 |
| ten | $2,189 |
| Each additional member | $219 |
However, it is essential to note that the ministry has kept the minimum benefits the same for the current year and they remain at $23 until September 30, 2024.
Per federal guidelines, SNAP benefits cannot be discontinued as long as the beneficiary has an active EBT card. This means that SNAP recipients must use their EBT card at least once every nine months.
Beneficiaries can view their EBT balance, inquire about their transactions and apply for a new EBT card by contacting them.
If you are a legal citizen of Pennsylvania, you can get a free government phone without investing a single cent. Click here to request a free government phone in Pennsylvania.
DHS EBT Contractor at 888-328-7366. SNAP recipients can also access their EBT balance and transaction history using the Compass PA mobile app, available for free on Apple and Android devices.
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