If you are applying for, or currently receiving Food Stamps (SNAP) Medical Assistance, Cash Assistance in the State of Pennsylvania, you need a My COMPASS PA account to manage the application process and your benefits if you are approved. In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to create My COMPASS PA online account.
If you already have an account and need help logging in, see our login help article here.
The My COMPASS PA online portal is used in Pennsylvania to manage benefit assistance programs.
First, we will describe what My COMPASS PA is about and explain the benefits of having an account, including what you can do with your online account.
Next, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating a Create a My COMPASS PA Account.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania SNAP benefits.
For help creating your My COMPASS PA Account, continue reading and follow our guide below.
Table of Contents:
- Benefits of My COMPASS PA Account?
- How to Create a My COMPASS PA
- Pennsylvania Food Stamps FAQs
Benefits of My COMPASS PA Account
The MY COMPASS PA account is used to apply for the following Pennsylvania benefits programs:
- Health Care Coverage
- Medical Assistance
- Medicaid for Former Foster Care Youth
- Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD)
- Medicare Savings Program (MSP)
- Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Pennsylvania’s Health Insurance Marketplace (Pennie)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Cash Assistance
- Long Term Living Services – Home and Community Based
- Long Term Living Services – Nursing Home and Related Facilities
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Free or Reduced Price School Meals
- Child Care Works
Having a My COMPASS PA account has many benefits. You can perform the following task online, as shown by the category below:
- Upload your verification documents and check the status of your application
- View and manage your benefit information
- Receive e-Notices
- Report changes to your case
- Search for child care and other early learning programs
- Search for and submit referrals for certain home and community-based services
How to Create My COMPASS PA Account
To create your My COMPASS PA account, follow the steps we have outlined below:
Step 1 – Visit My COMPASS PA Website
To start creating your My COMPASS PA account, visit the My COMPASS PA website. Click here to be taken there.
Once you are on the homepage you will need to locate the “LOGIN/REGISTER” button, which is usually located at the top of the site (see image below).
Click the “LOGIN/REGISTER” button to see a dropdown menu.
Step 2 – Click on “Register” Link
Once you click on the “Login/Register” link, you will see a drop-down page.
Click on the “Register” link under “Individuals & Families” to continue as shown below.
Step 2 – Enter your Information and Create Account
Next, you will be taken to a page like the one below, where you will have to enter information to create your account.
This part is broken into several parts. Follow the steps below:
Part 1 – Personal Information for Head of Household/Payment Name
First, you will have to enter information for the Head of Household.
Enter the information requested below:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Date of Birth
- Email Address
Part 2 – Create a Username and Password (Keystone Key)
Next, create a username and Password (Keystone Key) as shown below:
Part 3 – You must select 3 unique questions
The third part of the process is to select three questions and provide answers to them.
Be sure to select questions you are likely to remember the answers for as this will be used to verify your identity to access your account in the future.
Part 4 – Select Program Option
Next, you have to select one of the options below to access your My COMPASS Account.
Select the option that applies to your situation.
Part 5 – Read and Accept Terms and Conditions
Lastly, read and accept the terms and conditions to complete the account creation process as shown below.
Once you are done, click the “Register” link, as shown below.
Step 3 – View Your Account
If you successfully entered the information requested, you will be taken to your My COMPASS PA Account to view your benefits page dashboard.
Pennsylvania Food Stamps FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Pennsylvania Food Stamps.
Who is Eligible for Pennsylvania SNAP Benefits?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) assists low-income individuals and households to purchase nutritional food.
Eligibility for Pennsylvania SNAP, as well as how much you will receive, is based on your household’s size and income level.
You are eligible for PA SNAP benefits if your income is low, no matter what kind of income you have.
Income includes wages, welfare, SSI, social security, child support, unemployment compensation, rental income, etc.
Additionally, many people who have jobs can still get PA SNAP if their wages are low or if they support large families.
Furthermore, a group of people who live together can get food stamps as long as they buy food and make their meals together, even if they are not related.
Also, a person living alone can also get food stamps.
Lastly, homeless people can get food stamps, as well as women and children who live in shelters, even if the shelter provides meals.
What is the Income Limit for PA Food Stamps?
There are many factors that determine how much you will receive in SNAP benefits in Pennsylvania.
These include household size, monthly income, and if a member of your household is 60 years old or older, or has a disability.
The income limit is perhaps the most important factor.
Most households in Pennsylvania must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 130% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG), to be potentially eligible for SNAP.
The Pennsylvania SNAP Income Chart provided below shows both the gross monthly income and net monthly income based on your household size.
| PA SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2022 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 | |||
| Household Size | PA SNAP Maximum Gross Monthly Income (130% FPIG) | Maximum Gross Monthly Income for household with member age 60+ or disabled (200% FPIG) | Maximum Net Monthly Income (100% FPIG) |
| 1 | $1,396 | $2,148 | $1,074 |
| 2 | $1,888 | $2,904 | $1,452 |
| 3 | $2,379 | $3,660 | $1,830 |
| 4 | $2,871 | $4,418 | $2,209 |
| 5 | $3,363 | $5,174 | $2,587 |
| 6 | $3,855 | $5,930 | $2,965 |
| 7 | $4,347 | $6,688 | $3,344 |
| 8 | $4,839 | $7,444 | $3,722 |
| 9 | $5,331 | $8,202 | $4,101 |
| 10 | $5,823 | $8,960 | $4,480 |
| Each additional member | +$492 | +$758 | +$379 |
How much will I get in Food Stamps in Pennsylvania?
If you are approved for Pennsylvania SNAP benefits, how much you will receive depends on your household size and net income.
The table below provides the maximum monthly benefit and the estimated average monthly benefit based on household size.
The amount you receive may differ from these amounts due to your income and other factors.
A SNAP budget must be calculated for your household in order to determine your SNAP eligibility and benefit amount.
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit | Estimated Average Monthly Benefit |
| 1 | $250 | $175 |
| 2 | $459 | $334 |
| 3 | $658 | $520 |
| 4 | $835 | $638 |
| 5 | $992 | $748 |
| 6 | $1,190 | $869 |
| 7 | $1,316 | $941 |
| 8 | $1,504 | $1,137 |
| Each additional member | (+$188) |
Where can I Apply for PA SNAP?
There are three ways to apply for EBT/Food stamps in Pennsylvania:
Option 1 – Online
The easiest way to apply for Pennsylvania food stamps is online via the COMPASS Portal. Click here to be taken to the application website.
If you have an account, you can log in or create your getcalfresh.org account.
Option 2 – At a DHS Office
You can also apply in person at your local county assistance office (CAO). For the closest DHS local county assistance office near you, click here.
Option 3 – Download Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your local county assistance office(CAO). or submit it in person.
After you apply, DHS will schedule your telephone interview.
You may be asked to provide:
- Proof of identity
- Citizenship or immigration status
- Social Security numbers for those requesting assistance
- Proof of household income.
Can I get PA Food Stamps Today?
You can get Expedited PA SNAP benefits if one of the following applies to your situation:
- Does your household have $100 or less in available cash and bank accounts
and expect to receive less than $150 in income this month? - Are you a migrant or seasonal farmworker?
- Are your monthly gross income and cash and bank accounts less than your
rent/mortgage and utility costs for this month?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you may have a right to expedited SNAP benefits.
This means you can get SNAP benefits within five calendar days of the date you apply.
How to Create My COMPASS PA Account Summary
We hope our post on How to Create My COMPASS PA Account was helpful to you!
If you need additional help determining your eligibility for food stamps or submitting your application for Pennsylvania SNAP, please let us know in the comments section below.
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In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on Pennsylvania SNAP and EBT:
Pennsylvania SNAP Benefits FAQs