SNAP and food help for older adults in Pennsylvania

SNAP: who qualifies

The Department of Human Services (DHS) runs SNAP. These figures apply from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.

If someone in your home is 60 or older or disabled, federal rules say your household does not have to meet the gross income limit. It only has to meet the net income limit, which is your income after allowed costs are taken off. That means many older people with income above the chart still qualify.

What counts and what does not

Income that counts: Social Security, SSI, pensions, wages, and other money that comes in each month.

Costs that are taken off your income. DHS asks for your housing and medical costs. Tell DHS about all of them:

• Housing: rent or mortgage, plus utilities.
• Medical costs you pay yourself, if you are 60 or older or disabled. These can raise your benefit, so bring proof.

Resources: DHS looks at household income and "available resources." Ask your county assistance office which of your savings count.

The Simple SNAP application

Pennsylvania takes part in a federal project that makes SNAP easier for older households. DHS has a separate, shorter form called the Simple Application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, in English and Spanish.

You can use it if all of these are true:

• Everyone in your household is 60 or older or has a disability.
• You buy and prepare food together (you do not have to be related).
• No one in the household has earnings from work.

If anyone in your home works, use the regular application.

Other food help for older adults

Senior Food Box (Commodity Supplemental Food Program)

A free box of shelf-stable food each month, given out through food banks. You must be over 60 with income below 130% of the federal poverty level. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture runs it. Ask your county Area Agency on Aging or local food bank how to sign up.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Checks to buy Pennsylvania-grown fresh fruits, vegetables and edible herbs at approved farmers markets and roadside stands. Processed foods, citrus and tropical fruits are not allowed.

• How to get checks: call your county aging office (Area Agency on Aging) to find out when and where checks are handed out. They are first come, first served. Some offices give them out only in person.
• Forms: the Department of Agriculture posts a 2026 Senior FMNP application and a proxy form, so someone else can pick up checks for you.
• Season: farmers market season runs June 1 to November 30.
• Questions: Bureau of Food Assistance, 717-787-2940.

Free meals

People 60 and over, and their spouses, can get free meals at more than 600 senior community centers. Home-delivered meals are available if you cannot get out. Contact your county Area Agency on Aging.

How to apply for SNAP

1. Online: apply on COMPASS (compass.dhs.pa.gov).
2. On paper: download the Simple Application (or regular application) and mail it or take it to your county assistance office.
3. In person: go to your county assistance office.

Have this ready:

• Dates of birth and Social Security numbers for everyone in the home
• Income for everyone in the home
• Housing costs, such as rent or mortgage
• Medical costs you pay yourself

Help with COMPASS: 1-800-692-7462 (TTY 1-800-451-5886), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

After you apply

• Report changes in income, address or who lives with you to your county assistance office.
• Renewals: answer any renewal notice from your county assistance office by the date on it, or your benefits can stop.
• Appeals: if you are denied or your benefits are cut, your notice explains how to ask for a fair hearing and the deadline.

Common mistakes

• Not applying because your income is over the chart. Households with someone 60+ or disabled only need to meet the net income test.
• Leaving out medical costs. They can raise your benefit.
• Waiting too long for farmers market checks. They go first come, first served.
• Using the Simple Application when someone works. Use the regular form instead.

Free help

• County Area Agency on Aging: meals, farmers market checks and help applying. Call the Department of Aging at 717-783-1550 to find yours.
• PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources: 1-800-753-8827.
• COMPASS Helpline: 1-800-692-7462.

See all benefits in Pennsylvania.

Phone numbers: Free help lines for Pennsylvania agencies

Check what you may qualify for