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HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients will see an increase in maximum benefit amounts beginning Oct. 1 as part of an annual federal adjustment for food costs and inflation.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services said the average increase for most SNAP recipients will be about $18. The minimum monthly benefit will increase from $24 to $25.
Income eligibility limits will also increase for the benefit year running Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2027.
Under the new guidelines, the maximum monthly income at 200% of the federal poverty income guideline will be $2,660 for a one-person household, $3,608 for two people, $4,554 for three and $5,500 for four. Maximum monthly benefits for those household sizes will be $306, $562, $808 and $1,023, respectively.
For each additional household member beyond 10, through a household size of 17, the monthly income limit increases by $948 and the maximum benefit by $225.
DHS said no SNAP recipient will receive a benefit decrease as a result of the annual adjustment itself. Actual benefit amounts depend on factors including household size and income.
More than 1.7 million Pennsylvanians receive SNAP benefits, according to DHS.
The department also reminded recipients of federal changes requiring documentation of shelter and utility expenses.
Since Feb. 9, SNAP applicants and recipients have been required to provide documentation showing their shelter costs and responsibility for utilities. Previously, recipients were required to report those expenses but generally did not have to provide supporting documentation.
Acceptable documentation can include rent or mortgage receipts, lease agreements, property tax statements and certain insurance bills. Utility expenses can be documented through bills, correspondence from utility companies, canceled checks or statements from landlords.
Failure to provide the documents will not by itself result in an application being rejected or existing benefits being closed, DHS said. However, benefits may be calculated without deductions for unverified shelter and utility expenses, potentially resulting in a lower benefit amount.
Current recipients who do not have the documentation on file will be asked to provide it at their next renewal. Households must also provide updated documentation after moving or when their expenses or responsibility for paying them changes.
DHS also reminded recipients about expanded federal SNAP work requirements that took effect Nov. 1, 2025. The requirements generally apply to adults ages 18 through 64 who do not have a dependent child younger than 14 and are considered physically and mentally able to work, unless they qualify for an exemption.
Veterans and current or former foster youth ages 18 through 24 are no longer automatically exempt from the requirements, according to DHS.
Residents can apply for SNAP and other public assistance programs through the state’s COMPASS system or seek assistance through a County Assistance Office.