You can continue to receive SNAP benefits as long as you meet the income eligibility requirements. But there are reporting requirements regarding what SNAP recipients must do to continue getting food stamps.
Elderly & Disabled SNAP households
If everyone in your household is either over the age of 59 or receives a disability benefit and no one is working, you should only need to recertify your SNAP benefits once every 3 years. You also do not need to complete SAR packets. However, you do need to report changes as described below. If you receive medical assistance, you may still get renewal packets from the Pa. Dept. of Human Services (DHS) for your medical assistance.
Reporting Changes
First and foremost, as a SNAP recipient you must report to DHS any changes in the following:
- your address
- your phone number
- your household income in the amount of $150 or more
- your rent
- your other expenses such as childcare or medical expenses
- who lives in your household
If you don’t update your contact information, you will likely miss out on receiving important mail and notices. If you receive benefits that you aren’t entitled to, DHS can hold you responsible for paying them back. If they think you intentionally withheld information about income to keep getting benefits, you can be charged with fraud.
When reporting changes, you may need to mail, fax, upload, or drop off documents to prove changes. Report your change in any of the following ways:
- Calling the Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930. Always request a ticket number when calling this number.
- Using the MyCOMPASS PA mobile app.
- Visiting or calling your county assistance office.
Semi-Annual Review
In addition to reporting changes routinely, DHS requires most (but not all) SNAP recipients to file paperwork every 6 months to keep their benefits going. DHS will send SNAP recipients a Semi-Annual Review (SAR) packet, which is due 6 months after your application and again after your annual recertification.
The packet you receive will have the due date on it, which is the date they would like the form back into to office so they can process your SAR on time before the month ends. If you miss that deadline, DHS mails out a second SAR packet with a Late/Incomplete notice. The Late/Incomplete SAR usually arrives just about the time the SAR is due.
If your SAR is not processed by your SNAP benefit payment date, they will suspend your benefits. Completing the SAR will get your benefits reinstated and you won’t have to do a whole new application.
- You need to submit the SAR packet by its due date. You can submit it by mailing or faxing the form to your CAO or by using the the MyCOMPASS PA mobile app.
- Provide documents of your income and anything that has changed.
- If you do not receive a SAR form, call the Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930.
- DHS does not require an interview with your Semi-Annual Review.
Recertification
Most SNAP recipients need to have their benefits recertified (or renewed) every year. DHS will mail you a recertification packet with a renewal form, and it should arrive at least three weeks before the renewal date.
To recertify and keep your benefits open, you will need to:
- Submit the form by its due date. You can submit the form by mail or by using the COMPASS website.
- Provide documents that verify your income and any changes. You can upload required documents using the COMPASS website, My COMPASS PA mobile app, or submit them by mail, e-mail, or fax to your county assistance office
PLEASE NOTE: The PA Dept. of Human Services has currently suspended all interviews for SNAP applications and recertifications through July 1, 2024. If there is something unclear, a caseworker may try to call you. If you receive a recertification packet that lists a day and time for an interview, it is because the state was planning to restart interviews earlier, but was able to get an extension to waive SNAP interviews until July 2024. DHS will not stop your SNAP benefits for failing to complete an interview at this time.
If you do not receive this form, call the Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930
You can call Just Harvest if you need help with your recertification at 412-431-8960 (option 3).
