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Pennsylvania Welfare Food Stamp Criteria

Families lacking access to food in Pennsylvania costs the state $3.25 billion per year, with 1.2 million Pennsylvania households at risk of hunger, according to a 2007 report by the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare. Through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, families and individuals can acquire state aid to buy groceries and receive nutrition education at a variety of outlets.

  1. Eligibile Candidates

    • Qualifying applicants for food assistance in Pennsylvania are the head of household, their spouse, a responsible member of the household or a representative trusted by the family such as a friend or relative. Families applying for food stamps must have a monthly income lower than the amounts designated by the state. For a household of one, $1,444 is the maximum monthly income and $2,941 for a family of four.

    Application Requirements

    • To apply for SNAP, applicants must fill out a form provided by the Department of Welfare. Proof of all sources of income before taxes and deductions for a full month--such as paychecks, pay stubs, award letters and tax receipts if self-employed--must be attached to the form. Questions on the form include criminal and work history and the number of people in the household. The application should then be turned in or mailed to a local county assistance office.

    Monthly Benefits

    • Eligible households can collect a minimum of $2 to $16 to use toward the purchase of food. The maximum monthly allowance is on a sliding scale, with $200 for a household of one to $1,502 for a household of 10. SNAP recipients must not share or sell their benefits with members outside their household.

    Approved Purchases

    • SNAP participants use an Electronic Benefits Transfer Access card, which works like a bank debit card, to purchase groceries. Clients may not buy alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, firearms, ammunition or explosives with their EBT card. Those in SNAP may also lose their privileges if they buy food on credit. Participants found guilty of breaking one of these rules are barred from benefits for 12 months for the first violation, 24 months for a second offense and permanently for a third violation. Those who break the rules or commit fraud may also face a fine of up to $250,000 and up to 20 years in prison, and/or may be ordered to repay SNAP benefits received.

    Nutrition Education

    • Those eligible for SNAP benefits can partake in the Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Tracks program, designed to help individuals and families make better nourishment choices. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, Tracks reaches out to low-income populations through farmer's markets, health clinics, low-income housing complexes and classes. Curriculum is focused on three age tracks--adult/senior, school-age and preschool.

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