News

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.

News

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.

News

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:

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.