Learn more and take action
Read our FAQ for more information on what happened and what you can do if you were affected:
Some DHS mail was delayed from November 3 through December 3, 2025, due to an issue with an external mail vendor. The agreement with this vendor was terminated, and the Commonwealth is working with a new vendor now.
All delayed mail has been sent, but certain people may receive notices and other paperwork later than expected.
Since we became aware of the mail vendor’s failure to send certain DHS mailings, DHS staff have worked around the clock to ensure clients receive communications as quickly as possible.
Where possible, DHS is extending appeal deadlines by an extra 45 days and due dates for renewals for those who did not get timely mail about their benefits . If you missed an appeal hearing, DHS will contact you to reschedule that hearing.
We apologize for the inconvenience and encourage individuals to contact their caseworker if they have concerns or questions about their case.
Medicaid, CHIP, and TANF cash assistance recipients who had benefits reduced or closed during the mail delay will have their cases reopened and reviewed to determine if needed information was received during the renewal.
If information is still missing from their case to make a benefits determination, new closure notices will be sent to allow for additional notice and opportunity to complete the renewal. Renewals that are due in December are now extended into January to allow more time for renewals to be returned. The quickest way to ensure your eligibility continues is to provide any requested documents or complete any renewals even if they were received late.
Additionally, the time to appeal a decision for Medicaid, CHIP, and TANF is extended to 75 days from the date of the decision. DHS will be providing individuals affected by the mail delay with notice of their appeal options and deadline extensions. In many instances, recipients can have their benefits continued unchanged if they appeal within ten days of the mailing date on these letters and do not waive the continuation.
Due to federal law and USDA guidance, DHS is not permitted to extend renewal deadlines for SNAP recipients.
Per federal law, SNAP recipients whose cases were reduced or closed must either submit missing documentation, file an appeal, or re-apply for benefits to assess continued eligibility and resume SNAP benefits.
If renewals and other missing documentation are submitted within 30 days of closure, SNAP benefits can be reopened back to the closure date as long as the individual remains eligible. The quickest way to ensure your eligibility continues is to provide any requested documents or complete any renewals even if they were received late.
The appeal period is also extended, so people affected will have a total of 135 days to appeal a decision made for SNAP benefits. DHS will be providing individuals affected by the mail delay with notice of their appeal options and deadline extensions. In many instances, recipients can have their benefits continued unchanged if they appeal within ten days of the mailing date on these letters and do not waive the continuation.
If a person lost SNAP and chooses to reapply, they can signal an emergency need for food and potentially receive expedited SNAP benefits.
Appeals that were missed due to the mail delay are being reopened and rescheduled. DHS’ Bureau of Hearings and Appeals has a callback system in place with its phone line, and calls received are being returned.
We strongly recommend you enroll in e-Notices, because this is the fastest way for you to know what DHS needs to make an eligibility determination and to notify you of what actions have been taken on your benefits.
DHS provides eligibility information via mail or via e-Notices, but, if you sign up to receive e-Notices, you will still receive paper renewal packets in the mail.
Pennsylvanians should also always keep their contact information up –to date with DHS and the US Postal Service. On COMPASS, you can enroll in emails and texts as well.