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)
August 14, 2023 Social Policy Study Reveals Vital Role of SNAP for Children and Families A recent report from the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) has provided new insight on the critical role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the health and well-being of children and families. About the Report Entitled, “The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): A Vital Resource for Children, Youth, and Families,” the report combined data from existing research with insights from interviews between CSSP staff and SNAP-assisted families to build a complete picture of SNAP’s impact. Key Findings Key findings from the report show: In 2021, SNAP reached 41.5 million people in an average month. SNAP plays a critical role fighting hunger and malnutrition, and promoting economic wellbeing. For families, SNAP can help lift some of the weight off parents and caregivers as they struggle to feed growing children. For youth and young adults, SNAP provides some security and stability as they transition to adulthood and pursue their goals. This support is especially critical for young people who age out of foster care and are disproportionately likely to struggle to afford food, as they often lose access to social services and economic supports when they leave foster care. SNAP can be a critical resource for young people, helping them buy food and meet their needs as they set out on their own, further their education, embark on their careers, and form their own families. CSSP Policy Recommendations Though SNAP provides an enormous, essential benefit to families and youth, CSSP shared in the report that SNAP can do more to help people meet their needs and pursue their goals, offering a number recommendations. They encourage policymakers to: increase benefit levels, repeal the three-month time limit for adults, restore access to immigrant families, and lift the ban on hot food. Learn More To learn more, read the full report or visit the CSSP website. Source Information for this post was taken directly from the CSSP SNAP report. Some text may have been added, paraphrased, or adapted for readability and comprehension. Related Content & Resources 2023 Food Resources Allegheny County Family Resource Map Highlights Supports for Locals Housing Resources Available for Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Families ELRC Region 5 Now an Infant Formula Bank Updated: Summer Food Programs Offer Free Meals to Children OCDEL Invites Families to Participate in Free Professional Photo Session Clothing Distribution at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center LDA of PA Offering Free Reading Tutoring to Children in Hill District
May 8, 2023 PADHS and ACDHS Renewed Recommendations for End of Public Health Emergency The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced that the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration, which allows families and individuals to get COVID-19-related benefits and automatic coverages, will expire on May 11, 2023. Many PHE benefits have already been terminated, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments, which expired at the end of February 2023, and continuous Medical Assistance eligibility and enrollment, which ended April 1, 2023. To better support families through this continuing transition, the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) and Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PADHS) issued the following recommendations: (This article was updated on May 10, 2023 to include new information on renewing coverage via mail). How should families and individuals in Allegheny County respond to the end of PHE? Continuous Medical Assistance eligibility and enrollment ended April 1, 2023. Everyone on Medical Assistance and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will need to renew their application. In April, PADHS began sending renewal information to recipients. Attempts to contact recipients regarding renewals will span a 12-month period. Recipients will get information in the mail about renewing their Medicaid or CHIP coverage. When this packet arrives, they must complete and return it by the date printed on the packet. They can return it by mail or deliver it in-person at any local County Assistance Office. Recipients can also complete the renewal by phone at 1-866-550-4355 or online at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS. PADHS may contact recipients through other means as well, including by phone. Regardless of how they are contacted, recipients will need to: keep their contact information up-to-date, and respond quickly to any correspondence that they receive, even if nothing has changed. Not responding will result in a loss of coverage. This will affect everyone in Allegheny County who receives Medical Assistance and CHIP. SNAP benefits ended in February 2023 During the PHE, all SNAP households received at least an additional $95/month. Without this additional support, more than 166,000 people receiving SNAP benefits in Allegheny County may need food assistance. How can families and individuals prepare for this transition? Families and individuals receiving Medical Assistance or CHIP: Families and individuals receiving Medical Assistance or CHIP should update their contact information in COMPASS. The Department of Human Services will send important notices in the mail about renewals, so it is very important that contact information be up-to-date. Log into dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS to update your contact information, or call the Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930, if you prefer not to use the online portal. Families and individuals receiving SNAP benefits: SNAP benefits have decreased, so some families and individuals may be struggling to secure enough food. Anyone who needs food assistance can call 2-1-1 or look at the food bank’s food locator tool. Households with pregnant individual(s) or children under the age of 5: If someone in your household is pregnant or under the age of 5, WIC can help connect you to food resources. Learn more about WIC at PAWIC.com and, if you are interested in WIC resources, fill out the pre-application on that page. Additional Resources Medicaid and CHIP Community Care Behavioral Health is available to assist members and providers with eligibility questions and support. Members can call 1-844-488-5336. Providers can call 1-888-251-2224. SNAP Just Harvest can help people apply for SNAP, as well as other benefits. For more information about SNAP Emergency Allotments, the February change, and how to report changes to benefits, visit dhs.pa.gov/SNAPCares. Food Resources in Allegheny County ELRC Region 5 has curated a list of food resources provided by organizations in Allegheny County. To find the food list, visit https://elrc5.alleghenycounty.us/news/2023-food-resources.
March 22, 2023 Resources for Changes to SNAP Benefits Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Acting Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Val Arkoosh are reminding Pennsylvanians of federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that are taking effect this month. SNAP Emergency Allotments—which were usually paid in the second half of each month—ended after February due to changes by the federal government. In his 2023-24 budget, the governor proposed an increase to the minimum SNAP benefit for seniors and people with disabilities. The budget proposal also seeks to continue universal school breakfasts, an investment in children’s ability to learn and access to food for working families in all communities. To address current needs, he is encouraging struggling families to utilize food assistance resources. Proposed Increases to SNAP The Governor’s proposed budget would increase the minimum monthly SNAP benefit for seniors and people with disabilities to $35 each month, as well as provide additional support as federal pandemic SNAP benefits end. Additionally, it would continue universal free breakfast for all Pennsylvania students. Food Assistance Resources The following resources are available to families in need of food assistance: PA211: Call 211 or visit www.pa211.org to connect with various local food resources. Feeding Pennsylvania: Visit www.feedingpa.org to find local food banks and other food assistance programs. DHS and PDA: Visit www.dhs.pa.gov/ending-hunger and www.agriculture.pa.gov/food_security for information on assistance programs and other resources. SNAP-eligible senior citizens can benefit from the Senior Food Box Program, which provides additional shelf-stable groceries. Learn more about these programs from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Additionally, SNAP recipients who are pregnant or have kids younger than age five may be able to get help buying food from PA WIC. Call 1-800-WIC-WINS to learn more or apply online at www.pawic.com. Find additional resources at www.dhs.pa.gov/SNAPCares. Learn More Though SNAP benefits are being reduced, they are not being eliminated. Anybody who already receives SNAP should reach out to DHS and update their information to ensure they are receiving their maximum SNAP benefit. Additionally, anybody struggling to afford food or who may need financial assistance should reach out to DHS and apply for SNAP. To learn more, visit the Official Pennsylvania website. Additional Information and Resources ACDHS Recommendations for End of Public Health Emergency UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation Offering Medical Grants for Children Allegheny County Offering Food Resources Shapiro Administration Urges CHIP Recipients To Update Contact Information SNAP Emergency Allotment Ending After February 2023
September 12, 2022 Summer P-EBT for PA Children Approved The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) helps families cover the cost of breakfasts and lunches their children would have been eligible to receive for free or at reduced price through the National School Lunch Program funding for meals missed while being out of school during the pandemic. The money on these cards can be used for food only. Once believed to be a short-term program, P-EBT has now transformed into a longer-term federal response to the national public health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Summer P-EBT Benefits Eligible families will receive a Summer P-EBT payment of $391 per child for June, July, and August months. School-Age Children Beginning September 12 and ending on September 23, 2022, the PA Department of Human Services (PA DHS) will issue Summer P-EBT to the following school year 2021-22 Pre-k-12 students who: were already enrolled in their school’s Free or Reduced-Price Meals program; or attended a school where all students are automatically enrolled in the Free Meals program through the “community eligibility provision” (CEP). (CEP allows public schools with many low-income families to enroll all its students in the free meals program. This should not be confused with the recent pandemic school meals fee waiver).; or were enrolled in their school’s Free or Reduced-Price Meals program or in a CEP school but did virtual instruction through that school during the past year due to concerns about COVID-19; or didn’t enroll in the Free or Reduced-Price Meals program until after May 2022 but before August 21, 2022. The Summer P-EBT benefit will begin to be issued to these students on October 11. For Children Birth through Five From October 20-21, 2022, PA DHS will issue the Summer P-EBT payment to families who were receiving SNAP benefits for their young child at any time in June, July, or August. Benefits Benefits will be issued on existing EBT or P-EBT cards. If your child never received P-EBT before, the state will automatically send them a new card or will try to deposit their benefits on your EBT card if you currently receive SNAP benefits for your child and the state can match your child’s info from their school to your SNAP account. If you no longer have your child’s previous P-EBT card, you can request a new one through the state’s P-EBT Portal. If you no longer have your SNAP EBT card, you can request a replacement by calling 1-877-395-8930. More Information For more details, visit the PA Department of Human Services and the Just Harvest websites.
June 16, 2022 Expanded Food Assistance Eligibility for Families Facing Food Insecurity More Pennsylvanians experiencing food insecurity are now eligible for support from Pennsylvania’s network of food banks and pantries. Income eligibility for both the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded programs administered at the state level, have been raised from 150% of the USDA-established poverty level to 185%. About The income eligibility increase allows Pennsylvania’s charitable food system to serve more food insecure individuals who make just above the current income limit. It also brings the SFPP and TEFAP in line with other food assistance programs such as SNAP, reduced-price school breakfast and lunches provided through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, and the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Programs Pennsylvanians experiencing food insecurity are encouraged to explore the following programs: Food banks and food pantries can be found using this map. The WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs which provide vouchers to be spent at participating farmers markets in the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Senior Food Box Program provides eligible seniors with a monthly box of food to supplement regular groceries, the box can be delivered by DoorDash in select areas. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, provides benefits to purchase food at grocery stores and supermarkets. Congregate and Home-Delivered meals are nutritious meals available to Pennsylvanians 60 years of age or older and are delivered directly to eligible individuals’ homes, more information on these meals is available through County Area Agencies on Aging. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides vouchers to be redeemed at grocery stores for specific food items. The Summer Meals Program provides nutritious meals to children when school is not in session. More Information Details of the new regulation and income requirements can be found in the PA Bulletin. Find resources for local food assistance and learn more about the Wolf Administration’s steps to reduce food insecurity in Pennsylvania at agriculture.pa.gov/foodsecurity.
May 12, 2022 DHS to Offer P-EBT Benefits for 2021-22 School Year The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) helps families cover the cost of breakfasts and lunches their children would have been eligible to receive for free or at reduced price through the National School Lunch Program funding for meals missed while being out of school during the pandemic. The money on these cards can be used for food only. Once believed to be a short-term program, P-EBT has now transformed into a longer-term federal response to the national public health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. About P-EBT Benefits In April 2022, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture approved Pennsylvania’s plan to provide P-EBT benefits to students for the 2021-22 school year. Beginning in mid to late June, eligible students will receive P-EBT benefits in several 10-day periods: the first stage will provide benefits for eligible students for the months of September 2021 through November 2021 the second stage will provide benefits for eligible students for the months of December 2021-February 2022 the third stage will provide benefits for eligible students for the months of March through May 2022 the final stage will provide benefits for eligible students for the months of June through August of 2022 The amount of benefits received for each child for each stage will vary based on the individual student’s circumstances. Benefits will be issued on existing EBT or P-EBT cards. Anyone who has not received P-EBT previously will get a card in the mail for each eligible child. The return address on the card’s envelope will be from Texas. Eligibility Children qualify for P-EBT if they receive meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and missed those meals because they were absent from the classroom due to COVID-19. Children are eligible for NSLP if they have an approved free or reduced-price status from a household application, are directly certified by receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or certain Medical Assistance benefits through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), or are enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school. The PA Department of Human Services will work with schools to get the necessary information to determine which students are eligible. For more details, visit the PA Department of Human Services website.
