You may be familiar with the Pennsylvania EBT card if you live there. This card is used to assist low-income families and has been an important part of the national welfare system for many years. If you are wondering what benefits are available through the EBT card or if you are eligible to apply for benefits, this article will help you understand everything you need to know.
Pennsylvania EBT card or PA SNAP is a government-issued card used to purchase food, groceries, plants, or seeds that grow food, access a healthy diet, etc. Eligible residents can apply for benefits through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) online or by visiting the local DHS office.
What Is A Pennsylvania EBT Card?
A Pennsylvania EBT Card is an electronic payment system that allows you to purchase food products with the government SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefit. The Department of Agriculture of the USA (USDA) runs this program. And this card permits low-income residents and families to receive benefits on behalf of their household members.
EBT cards are convenient because they eliminate the need for physical money, and can be used at places that accept Visa or Mastercard. This card gives access to food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and cash assistance.
How To Apply For A Pennsylvania EBT Card?
A person can apply for the Pennsylvania SNAP program in two ways – Online or In-person.
- Online – For online application or renewal of your EBT card, you can apply through COMPASS, the official website of Pennsylvania DHS. You can call toll-free at 1-800-692-7462 or 1-800-451-5886 (for individuals with hearing impairments).
- In-person – To apply in person, you can contact your county assistance office and apply there. To complete the application you have to fill out a form and submit it. You can apply for SNAP and medical assistance benefits (both in English and Spanish versions) at the office. And in case of a problem in filling out the form, you can take help from one of the office staff.
To apply for one of the above-mentioned benefits, you must be either the head, the spouse of the head, a responsible member of the household, or an authorized representative like a friend, neighbor, or relative of the beneficiary who can avail the benefits for them.
Eligibility Criteria For PA SNAP
To qualify for this program, you must meet specific eligibility criteria. Some of them are
- You must be a permanent resident of Pennsylvania.
- If you live alone, you must have a bank balance under $2,001. Or if you live with a person above the age of 60 or a person with a disability (who is your direct relative) then your bank balance must be under $3,001.
- Depending on the household size (number of family members), your family’s annual income must be below the federal poverty level. For a single person, the maximum annual household income (before taxes) should be $17,667. And with every increasing number of family members, $6,136 should be added to that amount.
How Does An EBT Card Work?
An EBT card is an electronic payment card to avail SNAP benefits on selected food products in different stores. It is similar to a debit or credit card. Your SNAP benefit amount is deposited in your account every month. You can pay using the card until your balance exhausts. If there is any remaining balance it gets added to next month’s benefit. All the major food stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets take EBT cards as payment methods. Follow these steps to pay using your EBT card easily.
- Shop from any of the places that accept EBT payment. Go to the checkout counter and tell the cashier that you will pay using your EBT card.
- Swipe your card in the point-of-sale (POS) terminal and enter your PIN. Select the amount of purchase and confirm.
- Wait for a few seconds to complete the transaction.
Conclusion
SNAP benefits are meant for individuals who cannot meet their nutritious food needs. With their motto ‘No Pennsylvanian Should Go Hungry,’ Pennsylvania is on the road to making SNAP benefits available for every eligible person. The eligibility criteria vary in different places. So before applying for an EBT card, you can contact the welfare office near you.
FAQ
- How to retrieve my lost EBT card?
If you lost your EBT card, contact the Pennsylvania EBT hotline at 1-888-328-7366 immediately to file a missing report. If someone else uses your card before you can file a case, you will lose your benefits.
- Can I buy anything with a SNAP EBT?
No. One cannot buy non-food products, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, live animals (except for fishes meant to be eaten), hot foods, medicines, vitamins, cosmetics, etc.
- Which stores accept SNAP EBT?
Almost all major grocery stores and supermarkets accept SNAP EBT cards for payment. Albertsons, Aldi, Costco, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Piggly Wiggly, Sam’s Club, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and Farmer’s markets are some of them.
- Are students eligible for PA EBT?
Yes, students from community colleges are eligible for this benefit if they get $0 from their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Other criteria include: they have young children, have a disability, or work more than 20 hours a week.
