Helpful Tips for SNAP Recipients
With just a few weeks of summer left, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has some helpful reminders for SNAP recipients on how to keep their benefits safe and make sure they receive the food benefits to which they are entitled.
Replacement SNAP
Help is available for SNAP recipients affected by severe weather this summer.
SNAP households may be eligible for replacement SNAP benefits if their food was destroyed because of an extended power outage caused by a natural disaster or severe weather event.
SNAP recipients must complete and submit an Affidavit for Replacement of Food Destroyed in a Household Disaster within 10 calendar days of the reported food loss. This form is available online in English and Spanish.
To start this replacement request immediately, SNAP recipients can:
Find and visit their local County Assistance Office;
Call the Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930; or
Upload the completed affidavit form to COMPASS or the myCOMPASS PA mobile app (learn how to update case information and upload documents to COMPASS).
Locking EBT Cards
SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients are encouraged to keep their benefits safe by locking their EBT cards when not in use.
To lock and unlock their cards, recipients can use Conduent’s free and secure ConnectEBT app, available on Apple and GooglePlay app stores, or via the Connect EBT website. This is the only app and website Pennsylvania partners with to manage the card lock and unlock feature.
Watch this video to see how to lock and unlock an EBT card.
SUN Bucks
SUN Bucks provides households with a one-time payment of $120 for each eligible child to buy food while school is out. Like SNAP, Sun Bucks benefits can be used at local participating retailers to purchase groceries.
Many children will get these benefits automatically, but some households will need to apply. The benefits will be added to an existing SNAP/TANF EBT card or a newly issued Summer EBT card.
Use the Eligibility Navigator to determine if a child is eligible for SUN Bucks and whether a family needs to apply.
The application deadline for 2026 SUN Bucks is August 31, 2026. Applications received after August 31 will be considered for benefits in summer 2027.
Chip-Enabled EBT cards
Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget includes $7 million to modernize Pennsylvania’s SNAP EBT cards from magnetic stripes to chip-enabled cards.
Modernizing SNAP EBT cards will provide another level of security to protect SNAP recipients against theft and prevent benefits loss.
PA DHS estimates that chip-enabled EBT cards will take 6-8 months to roll out and will share more information on this process as it becomes available.
In the meantime, SNAP recipients should still be diligent about protecting their EBT cards. SNAP recipients should lock their cards when they are not in use and change their pins regularly to help protect their benefits. Learn more about how to protect against SNAP theft at dhs.pa.gov/scams.
Learn more about the investments in Governor Shapiro’s 2026-27 state budget.
Spread the Word
Share these posts on social media to spread the word about SNAP and SUN Bucks.
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Do you get SNAP benefits? Have you lost food purchased with SNAP due to a power outage, flood, fire, or other disaster? If so, you may qualify for replacement benefits! Contact your County Assistance Office as soon as possible to apply! Find your County Assistance Office: dhs.pa.gov/CAO
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Do you get SNAP benefits? Have you lost food purchased with SNAP due to a power outage, flood, fire, or other disaster? If so, you may qualify for replacement benefits! Contact your County Assistance Office as soon as possible to apply! Find your County Assistance Office: dhs.pa.gov/CAO. Graphic on a blue background ith the SNAP logo and emojis of thunderstorm, flooding, fire, tornado, and a phone.
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Did you know that the only way to fully lock your EBT card is through ConnectEBT? The “Lock Everywhere” option is the best way to protect your benefits!
Locking your EBT card everywhere when not in use maximizes protection of your SNAP and cash benefits from skimming and theft in PA, out of state, and online.
Don’t take any chances – “Lock Everywhere" and maximize your protection today. Download the free, secure ConnectEBT mobile app or visit connectebt.com to get started.
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Graphic with the ConnectEBT and locking icons emphasizing the app. Pennsylvania, protect your benefits! Lock Everywhere with ConnectEBT! Maximize your protection using “Lock Everywhere” on the ConnectEBT app or website. The “Lock Everywhere” feature is only available through ConnectEBT! Download the free, secure ConnectEBT mobile app or visit connectebt.com to get started.
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☀️ Keep your kids fueled and healthy this summer with SUN Bucks! Pennsylvania families can receive $120 per eligible child for nutritious groceries. Learn more: dhs.pa.gov/SUNBucks
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Summer EBT / SUN Bucks Now available for Pennsylvania school aged students. A big sun graphic over an image of a produce aisle in a grocery store.
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The 2026-27 Pennsylvania budget builds on Pennsylvania’s progress under Governor Shapiro with key investments, including $7 million to modernize Pennsylvania’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), upgrading SNAP EBT cards from magnetic stripes to chip-enabled cards.
Learn more about Governor Shapiro’s budget: https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/governor-shapiro-signs-bipartisan-2026-27-budget--securing-major
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Human Services budget win graphic on a blue gradient background with an EBT card icon. The 2026-27 Pennsylvania budget includes: $7 million to modernize Pennsylvania’s SNAP EBT cards from magnetic stripes to chip-enabled cards. Modernizing these SNAP EBT cards will strengthen food security in Pennsylvania by using technology to protect SNAP recipients against fraud and theft and prevent benefits loss.