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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means it's official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Federal Changes to Benefits Programs

    In July 2025, President Trump signed a law that makes changes to benefits programs like Medicaid and SNAP. This law is also known as HR 1.

    Learn more about these changes, how they affect your benefits, and what you must do to keep or reapply for benefits. 

    On This Page:

    SNAP
    Medicaid
    Noncitizens
    Preparing

    Changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

    Certain SNAP recipients in Pennsylvania now must meet work requirements AND report they are meeting this requirement to the PA Department of Human Services. If SNAP recipients do not meet this requirement, they can only receive three months of SNAP benefits in a three-year period.

    Your benefits will not change without notice from DHS. You will have the chance to update your case information before any changes are made.

    Learn more about SNAP Work and Reporting Requirements

    Changes to Medicaid

    The federal budget bill makes changes to Medicaid for certain Medicaid recipients. If you are eligible for Medicaid because of Medicaid expansion, starting in 2027, you will:

    • Have to work, be in school, and/or participate community engagement like volunteering for at least 20 hours each week to meet a new Medicaid work requirement
    • Need to renew your coverage every six months instead of once a year

    Information about changes to Medicaid will be available in late 2026. Medicaid recipients who are affected by these new rules will get more information form PA DHS about their benefits and what they need to do to maintain their Medicaid coverage before the end of 2026.

    Your benefits will not change without notice from DHS. You will have the opportunity to update your case information before any changes are made.

    DHS will help you prepare for changes to your benefits as they come. Be on the lookout for more information from DHS about your benefits

    Information for Noncitizens

    Federal law changed how certain noncitizens can receive benefits like SNAP and Medicaid. Eligibility changes for SNAP started in 2025, and changes for Medicaid will start later in 2026. Your benefits will not change without notice from DHS.

    If you are not a citizen of the United States but you previously were able to receive assistance, learn how this law may affect your benefits.

    Preparing for Benefits Changes

    You can help be ready for any changes by keeping your address and other contact information up-to-date with DHS and the US Postal Service.

    1. Update your address with DHS: Log in to COMPASS at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS or the myCOMPASS PA mobile app to check and update your address and other contact information
    2. Report address changes to the US Postal Service: Visit USPS.com/move to update your address.
    3. Sign up for texts and emails from DHS: Visit dhs.pa.gov/text to sign up for texts and emails to get even faster notifications about your benefits.

    SNAP Toolkit

    Our communications toolkit offers materials including: flyers, social media graphics, sample messages, and more; to help you inform others about important changes for SNAP recipients.

    Use our SNAP toolkit and start sharing today
    DHS Substack - Human Services Helpers

    Human Services Helpers

    Join the Human Services Helpers Stubstack to get updates, resources, newsletters, and more that can help Pennsylvanians access services and supports, navigate change, and live healthier lives.

    Checkout DHS' Helpers Substack