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:
The MY COMPASS PA account is used to apply for the following Pennsylvania benefits programs:
Having a My COMPASS PA account has many benefits. You can perform the following task online, as shown by the category below:
To create your My COMPASS PA account, follow the steps we have outlined below:
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.
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.
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:
First, you will have to enter information for the Head of Household.
Enter the information requested below:
Next, create a username and Password (Keystone Key) as shown below:
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.
Next, you have to select one of the options below to access your My COMPASS Account.
Select the option that applies to your situation.
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.
If you successfully entered the information requested, you will be taken to your My COMPASS PA Account to view your benefits page dashboard.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Pennsylvania Food Stamps.
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.
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 |
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) |
There are three ways to apply for EBT/Food stamps in Pennsylvania:
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.
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.
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:
You can get Expedited PA SNAP benefits if one of the following applies to your situation:
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.
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.
If you found this article helpful, we encourage you to please share it with someone using the “Share this” button below.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on Pennsylvania SNAP and EBT:
Pennsylvania SNAP Benefits FAQs
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