Food Stamps
The Food Stamp program, an Agricultural Department Program, is a federal supplemental food nutrition program administered by the PA Department of Public Welfare. Most low-income families are eligible for Food Stamps, which are debits that come on an electronic card called ACCESS and can be used like cash to buy food at most grocery stores. For information about Food Stamps and whether you are eligible, call Just Harvest at 412-431-8960, Hunger Services at the Urban League at 412-681-1110 or the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank at 412-460-3663 ext. 286. There is also a screening tool and online application on the COMPASS website, access at www.compass.state.pa.us. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also has a Food Stamp Information Hotline for Pennsylvania: 1-800-692-7462.
You are eligible for Food Stamps if:
- You live in Allegheny County or the county where you are applying for benefits (no time requirement).
- You are able to provide verification of identity.
- All household members have a Social Security Number or apply for one.
- You are a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen meeting the other eligibility rules.
- You meet the work requirements for able-bodied adults (see below).
- You have countable resources adding up to less than $2,000 per household. One car is not considered a resource. (If at least one member of the household is over the age of 60 or has a disability, you are allowed up to $3,000 in countable resources.)
- You meet the income guidelines in the chart below:
|
Food Stamp Income Guidelines (from 10-01-06) |
| Household Size | Maximum Gross Monthly Income | Maximum Net Monthly Income * |
| 1 | $1,062 | $817 |
| 2 | $1,430 | $1,100 |
| 3 | $1,799 | $1,384 |
| 4 | $2,167 | $1,667 |
| 5 | $2,535 | $1,950 |
| 6 | $2,904 | $2,234 |
| 7 | $3,272 | $2,517 |
Income includes all earned income like wages and salaries, and all unearned income like public benefits.
* Net Monthly Income is used to determine eligibility for households with members over age 60 or disabled members.
Work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents
When the federal law was changed in 1997, it created some time-limits on Food Stamps for able-bodied adults. Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD’S) are limited to 3 months of food stamps in a 36-month period unless they are meeting the work requirement or are exempt from the work requirement or live in a qualified exempt area, such as McKeesport. Federal law states that persons ages 18 thru 49 with no dependents must work 20 hours per week or be exempt from the work requirement to continue to receive food stamps beyond 3 months.
Consumers who use Food Stamps but do not receive Cash Assistance and are in a welfare Employment and Training Program are eligible for the same special allowances that Cash Assistance consumers use. You can get help to pay for childcare and school expenses such as books and transportation.
You will generally need to be recertified for food stamps every 12 months.
Emergency Situations
If you are applying for food stamps and are in an emergency situation, make sure you tell the welfare office. You may qualify for “expedited issuance,” which means that you can receive your food stamps within five days.
You can qualify if your household has less than $150 in monthly income and less than $100 available in cash.
