Louise Hayes
Community Legal Services
LHayes@clsphila.org

?
• Almost everyone who is low income and has few assets
• Exceptions:
– Some immigrants
– Some students
– Some folks with certain criminal histories or who have broken FS rules

Everyone who:
1- lives together and
2- purchases and prepares food together
Some special rules:
• Kids under 22 living with parents must be part of the parents’ household
• Spouses living together must always apply together

• Students (may be ineligible unless…)
• Homeless (eligible even if in a shelter)
• People fleeing felony prosecution or violating probation or parole
• Work rules. None for now; may change.

• Legal (“qualified”) immigrants are eligible after five years; some are eligible right away.
• Eligible right away:
– Children under 18
– People in humanitarian immigration categories
(refugees, asylees)
– People receiving disability benefits (12 mo. or more)
• Ongoing advocacy around this issue – please call me

• PA CAP (= Combined Application Project) is automatic
SNAP benefits for single people on SSI. No need to apply, no semi-annual reports.
• Computer match sends SNAP based on what SSA knows of housing costs.
– SSI-only, rent < $196
– SSI-only, rent > $196
– SSI + soc sec, rent < $196
– SSI + soc sec, rent > $196
$92 in SNAP
$164 in SNAP
$83 in SNAP
$155 in SNAP
• Tip: report change in rent to welfare office to get moved into better category.

• This test was reinstated as of May 1, 2012 .
Asset limit now $5,500 for most households, $9,000 for households with an elderly or disabled member.
• The following assets do not count :
• Residence,
• Retirement funds,
• Life insurance,
• One car per household,
• Burial plots,
• Income-producing property,
• Inaccessible resources (less than $1,500 equity value),
• Tax refunds, and more.
• See DPW’s SNAP Handbook § 540.5, available online.

• Usually within 30 days of application: apply early to get things started.
• In some cases, within 5 days or less (“expedited
FS”):
– Shelter costs (including standard utility allowance) exceed monthly income and cash on hand
– <$100 on hand and <$150 in gross monthly income
– Migrant farmworker with <$100 on hand and no job for the next 10 days

• Can apply in person, by mail, or online: www.compass.state.pa.us
• Need interview. Usually by phone: push to reschedule if can’t make it! Tip: put request for new interview in writing.
• Need verification. Rules are flexible – see SNAP
Handbook ch. 578.
• Verify ID, residence, income, assets, immigration status.
Sometimes more.

• Should get semi-annual reporting (SAR) form after 6 months.
• Return the SAR form (or the Late/Incomplete Notice) timely or risk suspension of SNAP!
• Yearly “recertification.” Interview required.
– Benefits will not continue even if quickly appeal cutoff at end of cert. period. Make sure you reapply.
• Between SARs/ recerts: report if income exceeds 130% of the poverty level. No other reports required for SNAP
(but maybe for MA or TANF).
– Report by 10 th day of month after the month of change.

Problems with card: call 1-888-EBT-PENN.
Also http://www.ebtaccount.jpmorgan.com/
– balance inquiries
– last 10 transactions
– report lost/stolen cards