February 17, 2025 Just Harvest: SNAP Users Should Be Proactive in Protecting Benefits from Scams Just Harvest – an Allegheny County organization that addresses economic injustice through a focus on public policy and food access – is encouraging residents who use SNAP to be proactive in protecting their benefits. Learn More The organization pointed out that Congress has failed to extend a provision that protects SNAP users from skimming, during which SNAP benefits are stolen off EBT cards at point-of-sale machines. As a result, any SNAP benefits stolen will no longer be replaced. Those whose benefits have been stolen should report the theft to their local County Assistance Office and request a new EBT card. Once they have obtained a new EBT card, they should routinely change their PIN number. DHS Text Alert Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services has announced plans for an upcoming text alert that warns residents of recent nationwide increases of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud. The department said the text alert would warn residents about incidents of card skimming. The text will come from the number 833-648-1964. The department also warns that DHS text messages would never include: Details about a person’s benefits, such as the amount of SNAP they are authorized to receive A request for personal information Links to unofficial sites; most texts will direct people to dhs.pa.gov, COMPASS, or a site that ends in .gov or .org.
February 11, 2025 Just Harvest Helps with SNAP, Tax Prep, and Other Services Just Harvest helps those struggling with food security in Allegheny County as well as other free services. The organization aims to reduce hunger by boosting income and access to healthy food. Services Just Harvest offers a variety of services, including: SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a public benefit that can supplement a food budget. Just Harvest helps eligible families to apply for these benefits. Benefits case advocacy: Just Harvest helps those having trouble applying for or receiving food stamps, LIHEAP, or cash assistance (TANF) through the state’s Department of Human Services. Tax help: Just Harvest provides free IRS-certified tax preparation assistance to low-income families in Allegheny County. Fresh access: Just Harvest operates a kiosk at 20 area farmers markets and farm stands in the Pittsburgh area from May to November. Customers can shop with food stamps using their ACCESS/EBT card to purchase fresh produce, baked goods, meat, and dairy products. Fresh Corners: This healthy corner store initiative partners with local store owners in parts of Allegheny County that lack supermarkets. It provides affordable access to fresh, nutritious foods. More information on the services that Just Harvest provides can be found on this flier. For information on 2025 SNAP discounts, view this flier. And for general 2025 SNAP information, check out this flier.
January 14, 2025 Connect Cards Aim to Make Allegheny Go Enrollment Easier Enrolling in Allegheny Go, the mass transit discount program for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) users, will soon become easier. Learn More On February 1, the process for enrollment in the 50% discount program will become smoother through the use of new Connect Cards. The card is a reusable plastic smart card that makes paying fares faster, easier, and more secure than paying with cash. The cards are being reintroduced to combat barriers that Allegheny Go participants face when enrolling through the required Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s (PRT) Ready2Ride smart phone app. A number of groups – including Just Harvest, Pittsburghers for Public Transit, Equitable and Just Greater Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council – advocated for the return of the cards. About Allegheny Go Those receiving SNAP benefits can get 50% off transit fares for buses, light rail, and other PRT services through Allegheny Go. To qualify, one must: Reside in Allegheny County Be between the ages of 12 and 64 Have been receiving SNAP benefits for at least three months; this can also include family members receiving the benefits Have a mobile device and are able to access the Ready2Ride app To sign up for Allegheny Go, users must download the app, apply for it, and then buy fares. More information on the program is available on the Allegheny Go website.
August 13, 2024 Department of Human Services Warns of EBT Card Scams Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services is warning that scammers are skimming electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to steal benefits from state residents. Learn More DHS is warning EBT card users not to use third party apps to check balances. Those who believe their EBT card has been compromised should reach out to their local County Assistance Office to report suspected fraud and replace their card. A list of County Assistance Offices can be found online. EBT balance and transfer inquiries and card replacements can be requested from DHS’ EBT contractor,Conduent, at 888-328-7366. Those who have Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits stolen can have them replaced by filling out a benefit theft claim within 60 days of the incident. Claim forms can be found on DHS’ website. ATM and Point-of-Sale Terminal Skimming DHS has provided tips involving ATMs or Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals when using EBT cards: Inspect POS terminals, ATMs, and other card readers before using. Look for anything loose, crooked, damaged or scratched. Don’t use a card reader if you notice anything unusual. Pull at the edges of the keypad before entering your PIN. If it comes loose or reveals another keypad underneath, do not use as it might be a skimming device. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN to prevent cameras from recording your entry. Use ATMs in well-lit, indoor locations, which are less vulnerable targets. Be alert for skimming devices in tourist areas, which are popular targets.
July 16, 2024 Applications Available for Federal Summer Child Nutrition Program Applications are now open for a new federal child nutrition program known as SUN Bucks that aims to keep children fed during the summer months when they are not in school. Eligible children can receive an EBT card through the program, also known as Summer EBT, that can be used to purchase groceries. Learn More For the program’s first year, paper applications are available for children who are not automatically eligible. Benefits will be issued to all eligible children by October. The program provides households with a one-time payment of $120 for each eligible child to buy food while school is out. Benefits can be used at local participating retailers to purchase groceries. Many children will receive these benefits automatically, but some households will need to apply. The benefits will be added to an existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP)/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) EBT card or a newly-issued Summer EBT card. Eligibility Children who applied and were approved for free or reduced-price school meals or who receive SNAP or TANF are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. Most children who receive Medicaid are also eligible because their income level is under the level for the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program. Children who get Medicaid through the Children with Special Needs category (PH 95) and those who are in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will have to apply for SUN Bucks. Children are automatically eligible and do not need to apply for the program if: Their household received SNAP or TANF between July 1, 2023 and Aug. 31, 2024 and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program; or if they are not enrolled in a school that participates in the programs but were between the ages of six and 18 during the timeline The child received Medicaid with qualifying income for the lunch or breakfast program between July 1, 2023 and Aug. 31, 2024 and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the school lunch or breakfast programs; or if the child is not enrolled in a school that participates in the programs but is between the ages of six and 18 during the timeline The child is in Head Start, is homeless, in foster care, or is a runaway and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the school lunch or breakfast programs The child applied for and was determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the school or breakfast program How to Apply Most eligible households will get SUN Bucks automatically if they are receiving other benefits. Other households can use the Eligibility Navigator to determine if their child is eligible. Those who are not automatically enrolled can fill out an application in English or Spanish. Applications received on or before August 31 will be considered for SUN Bucks benefits. Those received after that date will be considered for benefits during the 2025 application period next summer. For more information, visit the SUN Bucks website.
June 12, 2024 New Look and Website Coming for COMPASS COMPASS, an online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for health and human service programs, will debut a new look and website URL in mid-June. Learn More Beginning June 16, changes to the website will allow users to navigate it on a desktop computer or mobile device much easier than before. The new URL will be: www.compass.dhs.pa.gov/Compass.Web/Public/CMPHome. Pennsylvania residents use COMPASS to apply for a variety of health and human service programs. It also helps residents to manage benefits information. Through COMPASS, state residents can apply for Child Care Works (CCW), healthcare coverage, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), free or reduced-price school meals, and other services. Clients who have applications that they need to finish must complete them by June 14 or they will need to start the application process from the beginning once the new site debuts. While some existing navigational objects will be missing from the new provider search design, users will now be able to complete applications on their mobile devices.
May 21, 2024 Allegheny GO to Offer Discounted Fare Rates for SNAP Recipients Starting in June, Allegheny County residents who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be eligible for discounted Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) fares. Learn More Allegheny GO will offer a 50% discounted fare for working-age Allegheny County residents who benefit from SNAP and their children. More than 130,000 county residents will be eligible to participate. Enrollment is scheduled to begin on June 3. To be eligible in the program, participants must: Currently reside in Allegheny County Be between the ages of 12 and 64 Have been receiving SNAP benefits for three months Individuals who currently receive a fare discount through other programs are not eligible to participate. All members of a SNAP household between the ages of 12 and 17 are eligible for the discount. All children ages five and younger always ride PRT for free. The county conducted a discounted fares pilot to determine the future design of the program. It has since published the results of the program. Due to its success, the county decided to make the program a permanent offering. Anyone who was part of the pilot will be contacted on how to join the program. How to Sign Up Applicants should download Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Ready2Ride app from the Apple App Store or Google Play before applying for the program on the Allegheny GO website. Initially, Allegheny GO will be available to applicants with smartphones. It will be available on PRT’s next-generation smartcard when it launches next year. Riders with questions about downloading Ready2Ride or the application process should call 412-442-2000. Families can also visit PRT’s website to learn more about existing discount programs for children.
May 8, 2024 COTRAIC Open House COTRAIC is hosting open hours at four locations on May 17 for its Head Start and PreK preschool programs for the 2024-25 school year. Learn More Attendees will be able to meet COTRAIC staff, tour classrooms, learn about programs, and engage in family fun activities. COTRAIC Head Start and PreK services are available at no cost to eligible families with children ages three to five. Eligibility includes children whose families are at or below the federal poverty guidelines or who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) public assistance services. Other eligible children are those who are in the foster care system or experiencing homelessness. The sites for the open house are: Churchview – 3198 Schieck St., Pittsburgh Dorseyville – 120 Charles St., Pittsburgh Hazelwood – 4900 2nd Ave., Pittsburgh Knoxville – 201 Rochelle St., Pittsburgh More Details The open houses will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, May 17. For more information, visit COTRAIC’s website or call 412-488-2750.
May 7, 2024 Department of Human Services Debuts Summer Child Nutrition Program A new, permanent federal child nutrition program known as SUN Bucks aims to keep children fed during the summer months when they are not in school. Through the program, also called Summer EBT, eligible children will receive an EBT card that can be used to purchase groceries. Learn More The program will be run by the state’s Department of Human Services, with support from the Department of Education. Children who are eligible and automatically signed up for SUN Bucks include: Children ages 6 to 18 who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or medical assistance with qualifying income during the school year or summer 2024. This includes home-schooled and cyber-schooled children. Children who attend schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and either: Applies for and is approved for free and reduced-price school meals during the school year Receives SNAP, TANF, or medical assistance with qualifying income at any time during the school year or summer Is directly certified for free school meals as a foster child, migrant, or someone experiencing homelessness Children who attend schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and whose families meet the income guidelines for SUN Bucks but were not automatically enrolled in the program by being in one of the categories listed above may be eligible. However, they would need to apply directly to receive SUN Bucks. The monthly household gross income limit for SUN Bucks is: $2,248 for a household of one $3,041 for a household of two $3,833 for a household of three $4,625 for a household of four $5,418 for a household of five +$8,732 for each additional family member More Details The benefit amount for summer 2024 is $40 per summer month per child. Payments will be made as one payment of $120 by September 30, 2024 at the latest. This timeline will be updated as DHS gets closer to implementing the program. Qualifying families who already receive SNAP benefits will see the benefit added to their card. For those who do not receive SNAP benefits, an EBT card will be mailed to them. Those interested in the program should make sure that their child’s school has a current mailing address. Additional information on how to activate the EBT card, how to check the card’s balance, and how the card can be used to buy food is available online.
October 23, 2023 SNAP Benefit Amount Increases October 2023 The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) income and benefit limits increased on October 1, 2023. Learn More The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) annually evaluates SNAP’s income eligibility standards, the maximum thrifty food plan, and the minimum benefit amount. These mass grant changes will benefit all SNAP recipients; SNAP benefit levels may increase as a result of these updates, and no one will experience a decrease in benefits. Income Limits Here are the SNAP income limits beginning October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024: 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 10 /$10,144 Each additional member /+$858 Maximum SNAP Benefits There is no change to the minimum benefit this year; the minimum benefit remains $23 through September 30, 2024. The Maximum Thrifty Food Plan is the maximum amount of SNAP benefits a household can receive. Below are the changes to the Maximum Thrifty Food Plan through September 30, 2024: 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 10 /$2,189 Each Additional Member /$219 Apply for SNAP Online: Apply for or renew SNAP benefits online by using COMPASS. In-person: File an application at your county assistance office. Download an application, fill it out, and return it to your county assistance office: Application for cash assistance, SNAP, and Medical Assistance benefits (English version) Solicitud para recibir beneficios (Spanish version)
