Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Val Arkoosh today advised Pennsylvanians of upcoming changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Due to passage of the recent federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, starting in March, SNAP recipient households will no longer receive the Emergency Allotment (EA) additional payment created during the COVID-19 public health emergency and will resume receiving one SNAP payment per month.
This change will happen for all SNAP recipients, with households receiving letters via mail about the change in SNAP payments.
“We know this additional SNAP payment has been a lifeline for people over the past three years and that ongoing economic uncertainty and high food prices are contributing to food insecurity for many Pennsylvanians. There is help available for you and your family through Pennsylvania’s heroic charitable food partners,” said Acting Secretary Val Arkoosh. “I urge anyone who can donate food or resources, now is the time to help your local food assistance programs as they prepare to meet this potential additional need.”
Additionally, the 2023 cost of living adjustment for Social Security Income (SSI), which is also set by the federal government, prompted an 8.7 percent increase to SSI income. SNAP eligibility thresholds – also set at the federal level – did not rise proportionally.
Because of this, approximately 249,000 households will experience a decrease in their base SNAP benefits by an average of $40 per household, which will take effect in March when EAs end. It is anticipated that approximately 5,000 to 20,000 households will be disenrolled from SNAP due to the SSI increase. These federal changes will primarily affect older Pennsylvanians and seniors.
Pennsylvanians who need to report changes to their household size, income, or expenses are encouraged to report any changes either online at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS, via the myCOMPASS PA mobile app, or by calling DHSs Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930 (or 215-560-7226 for Philadelphia residents). This will help ensure households are receiving the maximum SNAP benefit based off their individual circumstances.
DHS recognizes the impact these changes may have on households and wants to make sure families that need food assistance know where to go for help:
SNAP recipients who are pregnant or have children under 5 may be able to get help buying food from PA WIC. Call 1-800-WIC-WINS or apply online pawic.com; call 211 or visit pa211.org to connect with various local food resources; visit feedingpa.org to find local food banks and other food assistance programs;
Go to dhs.pa.gov/ending-hunger and agriculture.pa.gov/Food_Security for information on assistance programs and other resources; and, if you are a SNAP eligible senior citizen, apply to receive additional vouchers redeemable at more than 800 farm stands and more than 200 farmers’ markets in Pennsylvania. The Senior Food Box Program can also provide you with additional shelf-stable groceries.
For information about SNAP Emergency Allotments, visit dhs.pa.gov/SNAPcares.
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