SNAP Toolkit

Do You Need to Follow New SNAP Work and Reporting Requirements?

Because of the Republican budget bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump that went into effect on September 1, you might need to report work, education, training, or volunteer hours to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) in order to receive SNAP.

SNAP recipients must report at least 20 hours of work, education, training, or volunteering per week (or 80 hours per month) if they: 

• Are 18–54 years old, 
• Do not have a dependent child under 18, and 
• Are physically and mentally able to work. 

SNAP recipients who do not meet these requirements can only receive three months of SNAP benefits within a three-year period. 

DO NOT LOSE YOUR SNAP BENEFITS – CONTACT YOUR CASEWORKER TODAY

If you have questions about how to report work, education, training, or volunteer activities, you can contact your caseworker at your local County Assistance Office or call the Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930 (or 215-560-7226 if you live in Philadelphia).

Pennsylvanians should also keep their address up-to-date with DHS by calling the Customer Service Center or updating their address through COMPASS, and with the United States Postal Service so they don’t miss any important mailings about their benefits.

Visit www.dhs.pa.gov/work for more information.

Are You Exempt from Work Requirements? 

You may be exempt from the new SNAP work and reporting requirements if you meet an exemption such as:

• Living in a SNAP household with a child under 18 
• Unable to work because of a physical or mental health condition, whether or not you qualify for disability benefits;
• Pregnant;
• Needed in the home to care for an ill or disabled person;
• Receiving (or applied for) Unemployment Compensation (UC);
• Unable to work because of domestic violence;
• Participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program;
• Homeless, living in a shelter or halfway house, or staying with family or friends for 90 days or less;
• A veteran of any branch of the U.S. Military, National Guard, or reserves, regardless of type of discharge;
• Someone who aged out of the foster care system and is currently under age 25 ; or
• Temporarily unemployed and expect to return to work in the next 60 days.

If an item in this list describes you, call the Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930 (in Philadelphia, call 215-560-7226) as soon as possible.