Pennsylvania loads SNAP benefits onto EBT cards during the first ten business days of each month. Your specific deposit date depends on two things: which county you live in and the last digit of your seven-digit case record number. This guide breaks down how the schedule works, how to find your case number, and what to do if your benefits are late.
How Pennsylvania Determines Your Deposit Date
Pennsylvania does not pick a single date to load benefits for everyone. Instead, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) spreads deposits across the first ten business days of the month. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding state and federal holidays.
Your deposit lands on a specific business day based on the last digit of your seven-digit case record number. If your case number ends in 1, your benefits typically load on the first business day. If it ends in 0, benefits load on the tenth business day. The exact mapping depends on your county.
Example for high-population counties (Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, York, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Dauphin, Westmoreland, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Lycoming, Schuylkill, Lebanon):
| Last Digit of Case Number | Business Day Benefits Load |
|---|
| 1 | 1st business day |
| 2 | 2nd business day |
| 3 | 3rd business day |
| 4 | 4th business day |
| 5 | 5th business day |
| 6 | 6th business day |
| 7 | 7th business day |
| 8 | 8th business day |
| 9 | 9th business day |
| 0 | 10th business day |
Smaller counties often consolidate payments onto fewer days. For example, Adams County loads all benefits on the 5th business day, and Bedford County loads on the 2nd business day. To confirm your exact schedule, contact your local County Assistance Office or log into your COMPASS account.
2026 Monthly Business Day Calendar
Because holidays shift which calendar date each business day falls on, the actual date your benefits arrive changes month to month. Here is a reference for 2026:
| Month | 1st Business Day | Notes |
|---|
| January 2026 | January 2 | New Year's Day observed Jan 1 |
| February 2026 | February 2 | No federal holidays |
| March 2026 | March 2 | No federal holidays |
| April 2026 | April 1 | No federal holidays |
| May 2026 | May 1 | No federal holidays |
| June 2026 | June 1 | No federal holidays |
| July 2026 | July 1 | Independence Day July 4 shifts later days |
| August 2026 | August 3 | No federal holidays |
| September 2026 | September 1 | Labor Day Sept 7 shifts later days |
| October 2026 | October 1 | Columbus Day Oct 12 shifts later days |
| November 2026 | November 2 | Veterans Day Nov 11, Thanksgiving Nov 26 shift later days |
| December 2026 | December 1 | Christmas Day Dec 25 shifts later days |
Benefits are typically available on your EBT card by midnight at the start of your deposit day, so the balance is ready when stores open that morning.
How to Find Your Case Record Number
Your case record number is a seven-digit number assigned when you were approved for benefits. You can find it in several places:
- Any approval letter or notice from DHS
- Renewal paperwork
- Your COMPASS online account at compasspa.com
- By calling your County Assistance Office
The last digit of that number is what determines your deposit day. If your number is 1234567, the last digit is 7, so your benefits load on the 7th business day of the month (in counties that use the full 10-day schedule).
What Happens to Unused Benefits
Unused SNAP benefits in Pennsylvania carry over from month to month. They do not expire at the end of the month and do not reset. Your remaining balance stays on your ACCESS card until you spend it.
There is one exception: if your account has no activity for nine consecutive months, your benefits can be removed. To keep your account active, make at least one purchase or transaction every nine months.
How to Check Your EBT Balance
You have three options to check your current balance:
- Call the EBT Recipient Hotline at 1-888-EBT-PENN (1-888-328-7366). The automated system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have your card and PIN ready.
- Log into your COMPASS account at compasspa.com. Your account shows your current SNAP and cash assistance balances separately.
- Check at the register. Most grocery stores and retailers will show your remaining balance on your receipt after a purchase.
Pennsylvania SNAP Benefit Amounts in 2026
Your monthly benefit amount depends on your household size and net income after allowable deductions. The federal government sets maximum benefit amounts, which were last updated October 1, 2025:
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
|---|
| 1 | $292 |
| 2 | $536 |
| 3 | $768 |
| 4 | $975 |
| 5 | $1,158 |
| 6 | $1,390 |
| 7 | $1,536 |
| 8 | $1,756 |
| Each additional person | +$219 |
Most households receive less than the maximum because the benefit formula reduces your allotment based on 30 percent of your net income. Households with very low or zero income receive amounts close to the maximum.
Pennsylvania SNAP Eligibility Income Limits
To receive SNAP in Pennsylvania, your household income must fall below the gross income limit. Pennsylvania does not impose asset limits for SNAP, meaning savings accounts, vehicles, and home equity are not counted.
Gross Monthly Income Limits (200% FPL, effective October 1, 2025):
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 | $2,610 |
| 2 | $3,526 |
| 3 | $4,442 |
| 4 | $5,360 |
| 5 | $6,276 |
| 6 | $7,192 |
| 7 | $8,110 |
| 8 | $9,026 |
| Each additional person | +$918 |
Households with a member who is age 60 or older, or who receives SSI or SSDI, only need to pass the net income test. The gross income test is waived for these households under federal rules.
Pennsylvania uses broad-based categorical eligibility, which means most households that qualify for other state assistance programs are automatically considered eligible for SNAP.
How to Apply for SNAP in Pennsylvania
Step 1: Gather documents. You will need proof of identity (driver's license, state ID, or passport), proof of residency (utility bill or lease), Social Security numbers for all household members, proof of income (pay stubs, benefit award letters), and proof of any expenses you want to deduct (rent, utilities, child care, medical costs).
Step 2: Submit your application. You can apply online through COMPASS at compasspa.com, in person at your local County Assistance Office, or by mailing or faxing a paper application to your county office.
Step 3: Complete your interview. After applying, DHS will schedule a phone or in-person interview to verify your information. You can request an interpreter if needed.
Step 4: Receive your decision. DHS must process standard SNAP applications within 30 days. If your household is in immediate need, you may qualify for expedited benefits within 7 calendar days.
Step 5: Get your ACCESS card. If approved, you will receive your EBT card (called the ACCESS card in Pennsylvania) in the mail. Activate it and set your PIN before your first deposit date.
You can also use our free eligibility screener to check whether you may qualify for SNAP and other programs before starting your application. For more Pennsylvania-specific benefit information, visit our Pennsylvania benefits page.
What to Do If Your Benefits Are Late
If benefits have not appeared by the morning of your expected deposit day, take these steps:
- Verify your deposit day. Double-check the last digit of your case number and the business day calendar for the current month.
- Check for holidays. A federal or state holiday earlier in the month can shift later deposit days by one day.
- Call the EBT hotline. Dial 1-888-EBT-PENN to check your account status. The hotline can confirm if a deposit is pending.
- Contact your County Assistance Office. If the hotline shows no pending deposit, your local CAO can investigate whether there is an issue with your case.
- Request emergency SNAP if needed. If you have no food and cannot wait, ask your CAO about emergency assistance or contact a local food bank through the Feeding Pennsylvania network.
Summer EBT in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania participates in the Summer EBT program, which provides additional food benefits to school-age children during summer months when school meals are unavailable. This is a separate program from regular SNAP and has its own enrollment process and deposit schedule. Eligible families receive a flat amount per child for each summer month. Check the Pennsylvania DHS website for current Summer EBT dates and eligibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day does EBT deposit in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania loads EBT benefits on a business day that corresponds to the last digit of your seven-digit case record number. In most large counties, case numbers ending in 1 receive benefits on the 1st business day, case numbers ending in 2 on the 2nd business day, and so on through the 10th business day for case numbers ending in 0. Smaller counties may load all benefits on a single business day.
How do I find my case record number in Pennsylvania?
Your case record number appears on any official DHS correspondence, including approval letters, renewal notices, and benefit statements. You can also find it by logging into your COMPASS account at compasspa.com or by calling your County Assistance Office.
What time does Pennsylvania EBT deposit?
Benefits are typically available by midnight at the start of your deposit day. Most recipients find their balance has been updated when they check early in the morning of their deposit date.
Do Pennsylvania SNAP benefits expire?
Unused SNAP benefits carry over each month and do not expire at the end of the month. However, if you have no activity on your account for nine consecutive months, your remaining benefits can be removed. Make at least one transaction every nine months to keep your account active.
What is the maximum SNAP benefit in Pennsylvania for 2026?
The maximum monthly benefit for a single-person household is $292. A family of four can receive up to $975 per month. Most households receive less than the maximum based on their net income after deductions.
Can I get SNAP in Pennsylvania if I have savings?
Yes. Pennsylvania does not impose asset limits for SNAP. Savings accounts, vehicles, retirement accounts, and home equity are not counted against your eligibility. Only income is tested.
What is the income limit for SNAP in Pennsylvania in 2026?
The gross monthly income limit is $2,610 for a one-person household, $3,526 for two people, $4,442 for three people, and $5,360 for four people. Pennsylvania allows income up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Households with elderly or disabled members only need to meet the net income test.
How do I report a missing SNAP deposit in Pennsylvania?
Call the EBT Recipient Hotline at 1-888-EBT-PENN to check your account status. If the issue cannot be resolved through the hotline, contact your local County Assistance Office. Have your case record number and EBT card number ready when you call.
Does Pennsylvania have expedited SNAP benefits?
Yes. If your household has very low income and minimal resources, you may qualify for expedited SNAP, which is processed within seven calendar days. Ask your County Assistance Office about expedited processing when you apply.
Where can I use my Pennsylvania EBT card?
Your ACCESS card works at any retailer authorized by USDA to accept SNAP, including most major grocery stores, Walmart, Target, Aldi, Costco, and many farmers markets and online grocery delivery services including Amazon and Walmart Grocery.
