Are you trying to apply for Pennsylvania food stamp benefits, but need help finding out if you are eligible? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with everything you need to know about the PA food stamps income limit for 2022.
The Pennsylvania food stamps income guidelines will determine if you qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food assistance.
It’s no secret that the Pennsylvania Food Stamp Program has very strict eligibility requirements. Before you apply for the food assistance, you have to make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements. This will ensure that you are approved and your PA SNAP application is filed correctly.
In this article, we will provide you with the PA SNAP income limit chart for fiscal year 2022.
In addition, we will also cover:
- PA Food Stamps Income Limit for 2022
- SNAP EBT Allowable Deductions
- Pennsylvania Food Stamps Standard Deduction
- Gross and Net Income Calculator for PA SNAP EBT
- How much you’ll get in Pennsylvania Food Stamps
- How to Apply for Pennsylvania Food Stamps (Nutrition Assistance Program/SNAP)
To learn more about the Pennsylvania SNAP Income Limit and eligibility requirements, continue reading below.
PA Food Stamps Income Limit
The Pennsylvania food stamps income limit is the biggest factor in deciding whether your SNAP application will be approved or not.
In order to use the SNAP income limit chart, you must first calculate your total monthly gross income for your household.
Your total gross income is compared to a percentage of the federal poverty level (FPL) to determine if you qualify for Pennsylvania food stamps.
Once you know your household’s total gross income, expenses like childcare, medical expenses and housing costs and subtracted to calculate your total net income.
Your household’s total net income is used to determine how much you will receive in PA SNAP benefits each month.
Now that you know it works, you can use the Pennsylvania food stamps income limit chart to determine if your household qualifies for food assistance benefits.
In addition, we will walk you through the steps to successfully calculate your gross and net monthly income including standard and allowable deductions for your household.
PA SNAP Income Limit Chart for 2022
The Pennsylvania SNAP Income Chart provided below shows both the gross monthly income and net monthly income based on your household size.
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Pennsylvania SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2022 |
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Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 |
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| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income (130% of FPL) | Net Monthly Income (100% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,396 | $1,074 |
| 2 | $1,888 | $1,452 |
| 3 | $2,379 | $1,830 |
| 4 | $2,871 | $2,209 |
| 5 | $3,363 | $2,587 |
| 6 | $3,855 | $2,965 |
| 7 | $4,347 | $3,344 |
| 8 | $4,838 | $3,722 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$492 | +$379 |
SNAP EBT Net Income Limit for 2022
With a few exceptions, all households applying for food stamps in Pennsylvania also have to meet the net monthly income limit.
To calculate your net monthly income, you have to subtract any eligible allowable deductions from your monthly gross income.
For help, use the list of allowable deductions provided below.
SNAP EBT Allowable Deductions
The expenses that can be deducted from your gross income include:
- 20% deduction from Earned Income
- Standard deduction of $177 for households with 1 to 3 people and $184 for households with 4 or more people (see chart below)
- Dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education
- A deduction for elderly or disabled members medical expenses that exceed $35 a month (if not paid by insurance or someone else)
- Any legally owed child support payments can be deducted
- Homeless Household’s shelter costs deduction of $159.73.
- A deduction for excess shelter costs that exceed more than half of the household’s income (after the other deductions listed above & cannot exceed $597 unless a household member is elderly or disabled).
Pennsylvania SNAP Standard Deduction Amount
When determining your eligibility for Pennsylvania food stamp benefits, you will subtract a standard deduction from your total household income. The standard deduction amount is based on two factors – your household size and location.
To find out how much your standard deduction will be, use the SNAP Standard Deduction Chart for fiscal year 2022 provided below:
| Pennsylvania SNAP Standard Deductions for Fiscal Year 2022 | |
| Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 | |
| Household Size | Standard Deduction |
| 1-2 | $177 |
| 3 | $177 |
| 4 | $184 |
| 5 | $215 |
| 6+ | +$246 |
How to Calculate Gross Income
If you are struggling to figure out your household’s gross income, the chart below will provide you an example on how to get from a gross income calculation.
Once you have your monthly gross income, you can use this number to calculate your monthly net income. Your monthly net income will determine your eligibility for food stamp benefits in Pennsylvania.
| How to Calculate SNAP Gross Income | |
| Gross Income Calculation: | Example: |
| Determine household size . . . | 4 people with no elderly or disabled members. |
| Add gross monthly income . . . | $1,500 earned income + $550 social security = $2,050 gross income. |
| If gross monthly income is less than the limit for household size, determine net income. | $2,050 is less than the $2,871 allowed for a 4-person household, so determine net income. |
How to Calculate Net Income
Now that you have your household’s monthly gross income, you can use that number to calculate your net income. Use the chart below to calculate your monthly net income and determine if your household is eligible for Pennsylvania SNAP EBT benefits.
Please not that there may be exceptions to the net income calculation. These exceptions apply to household members that are elderly or disabled. For more information or immediate help call your local Pennsylvania DHS office.
| How to Calculate SNAP Net Income | |
| Net Income Calculation: | Example for a 4-person household: |
| Subtract 20% earned income deduction… | $2,050 gross income
$1,500 earned income x 20% = $300. $2,050 – $300 = $1,750 |
| Subtract standard deduction… | $1,750 – $184 standard deduction for a 4-person household = $1,566 |
| Subtract dependent care deduction… | $1,569 – $362 dependent care = $1,204 |
| Subtract child support deduction… | $0 |
| Subtract medical costs over $35 for elderly and disabled… | $0 |
| Excess shelter deduction… | See below |
| Determine half of adjusted income… | $1,204 adjusted income/2 = $602 |
| Determine if shelter costs are more than half of adjusted income… | $700 total shelter – $602 (half of income) = $98 excess shelter cost |
| Subtract excess amount, but not more than the limit, from adjusted income… | $1,204 – $98 = $1,106 net monthly income |
| Apply the net income test… | Since $1,106 is less than $2,209 allowed for a 4-person household, this household has met the income test. |
Excess Shelter Deduction for SNAP EBT
The excess shelter deduction when calculating your household’s monthly net income applies to shelter costs that are more than half of the household’s income after other deductions.
Allowable shelter costs include:
- Fuel for heating and cooking
- Electricity
- Water
- Cost for one telephone
- Rent or mortgage payments (and interest)
- Homeowners taxes
- Some states allow a set amount for utility costs instead of actual costs.
Maximum Shelter Deduction for Pennsylvania SNAP Benefits
The amount of the shelter deduction is capped at $597 unless one person in the household is elderly or disabled.
For a household with an elderly or disabled member all shelter costs over half of the household’s income may be deducted.
For more help determining if you are eligible to receive Pennsylvania food stamps, check out our complete Pennsylvania SNAP Eligibility Guide.
How much will I Get in Pennsylvania Food Stamps?
You must meet all eligibility requirements including the Pennsylvania Food Stamps Income Limit, in order to be approved for benefits. The amount of money you will get each month depends on your household size.
See the chart below for the maximum amount you may get based on the number of people in your household.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Pennsylvania | |
| Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $250 |
| 2 | $459 |
| 3 | $658 |
| 4 | $835 |
| 5 | $992 |
| 6 | $1,190 |
| 7 | $1,316 |
| 8 | $1,504 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$188 |
Now you know the Income requirements for Pennsylvania food stamps. If you qualify for food stamps and want to apply, follow detailed instructions below on how to apply SNAP benefits in Pennsylvania.
Learn about how long the extra SNAP benefits will last in PA.
How to Apply for Pennsylvania Food Stamps
There are three ways you can apply for food stamps in Pennsylvania – online, in-person, and by mail or fax. Before we get into that, it’s important that you gather all the necessary documents needed to apply for food stamps in Pennsylvania.
Here is a list of information and documentation you will need to complete your PA SNAP Application:
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Date of Birth (DOB)
- Income information such as job, child support or any other sources
- Resource or asset information such bank accounts (checking, savings accounts), vehicles, homes, land or life insurance
- Housing expenses such as rent or utilities
- Health Insurance information
Once you have gathered this information, you can now begin your Pennsylvania food stamps application.
Pennsylvania Food Stamps Application Guide
Here are the three ways you can apply for Pennsylvania food stamps:
Option 1: Online – PA COMPASS
The first option is to apply online using the PA My Compass online portal. You can access the Pennsylvania Compass online portal at www.compass.state.pa.us.
If this is your first time using PA MyCompass, you will first have to create an online account.
For step-by-step instructions, read our article on how to create a MyCompass PA Online Account.
Setting up on online My Compass PA account is quick, easy, and should only take a few minutes.
Once you have created your account, you can apply for PA food stamps online by submitting your SNAP Application.
Option 2: In-Person at PA DHS Center
You can also apply for benefits in person at your local county Department of Human Services (DHS) office location. Click here for a full list of PA DHS Office Locations.
Option 3: Mail or Fax
The last option is to download a paper PA SNAP Application and mail or fax it in.
To complete a paper PA SNAP Application, click here to download Pennsylvania Food Stamps Application.
Once completed, mail the application to your local county Department of Human Services (DHS) Office.
To get the mailing address for the PA DHS Office near you, use our Pennsylvania SNAP Office Location finder.
In addition, you can hand-deliver your completed PA SNAP Application to your local DHS office or fax it.
To locate the proper fax number for your county assistance office, click here.
Need More Help with your PA Food Stamps Application?
For additional help completing your PA Food Stamps Application, contact your local county assistance office (PA DHS).
You can also call the Pennsylvania SNAP Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930.
If you are located in Philadelphia, please call 1-215-560-7226.
Customer Service representatives are available to help you Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you are hearing impaired or deaf, please contact TDD Services by calling PA Relay Services at 711.
PA Food Stamps Income Limit Questions
We hope our post on the Pennsylvania Food Stamps Income Limit for 2022 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 EBT:
Pennsylvania Food Stamps Eligibility for 2022
PA Food Stamps Calculator (2022 Guide)
PA EBT Card Balance and Login
Pennsylvania EBT Deposit Schedule for 2022
2022 Pennsylvania Food Stamps Increase
Pennsylvania Food Stamps FAQs