Pennsylvania DHS updates SNAP benefit and income limits; Extends reimbursement for stolen benefits

SUNDAY. GOOD MONDAY AFTERNOON. I’M JAY SCOTT SMITH IN THE BIG STORY AT HIGH NOON IS IN LANCASTER TOWNSHIP, WHERE A 75 YEAR OLD WOMAN WAS INJURED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER EARLIER THIS MORNING. IT HAPPENED AROUND 9 A.M. ON RIVER DRIVE. OUR SARAH METZ IS LIVE IN LANCASTER TOWNSHIP WITH THE LATEST. GOOD AFTERNOON SARAH. GOOD AFTERNOON. YEAH. POLICE NEED YOUR HELP FINDING THE DRIVER OF A DARK COLORED SEDAN WHO HIT A WOMAN AND LEFT HER LYING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THIS MORNING. NOW, MANHEIM POLICE TOWNSHIP, OR MANHEIM TOWNSHIP? POLICE ACTUALLY SAY IT HAPPENED JUST AFTER 9 A.M. ON RIVER DRIVE. SO THIS IS VIDEO THAT YOU’RE SEEING OF THE SCENE FROM THIS MORNING. POLICE SAY THE 75 YEAR OLD WOMAN WAS WALKING HER DOG WITH A FRIEND WHEN THE CAR HIT HER. NOW, WITNESSES TOLD POLICE THEY BELIEVE THEY SAW A DARK COLORED SEDAN FLEE FROM THE SCENE. NOW, POLICE SAY IT’S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO GET THIS INFORMATION OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IT GIVES THEM A BETTER CHANCE OF FINDING THE DRIVER FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS. WHEN WE HAVE A VAGUE DESCRIPTION, THE SOONER WE CAN PUT IT OUT, THE MORE LIKELY SOMEBODY WILL SEE IT. THERE’S GOING TO BE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WE WANT TO FIND IT, YOU KNOW, BEFORE IT’S HIDDEN, BEFORE IT’S TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, LET REPAIR SHOPS, YOU KNOW, KNOW JUST SO THEY CAN KEEP AN EYE OUT. THE WOMAN HAD TO BE RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH HER INJURIES AND POLICE JUST TOLD ME THAT THE DOG. SHE WAS ALSO WALKING WAS ALSO INJURED IN THE CRASH. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT WHO THAT DRIVER COULD BE OR ANYTHING ON THE CRASH AT ALL, YOU’RE ASKED TO CALL POLICE IN MANHEIM. SARAH MATT MOORE, WGAL NEWS EIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH, SARAH. NOW, ALSO HAPPENING TONIGHT IN LANCASTER COUNTY, THE PENN MANOR SCHOOL BOARD IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON TWO POLICIES RECOMMENDED BY THE RELIGIOUS RIGHTS LAW FIRM. THE INDEPENDENT LAW CENTER. THE POLICIES WOULD LIMIT STUDENT ATHLETE PARTICIPATION TO SPORTS TEAMS ALIGNING WITH THEIR SEX AT BIRTH AND RECOGNIZING A STUDENT’S PREFERRED PRONOUNS. NOW, TONIGHT’S SCHOOL BOARD MEETING IS SET FOR 7 P.M. AT PENN MANOR HIGH SCHOOL. AND NOW HERE’S A LIVE LOOK AT OUR SKYCAM NETWORK ON THIS GORGEOUS START TO YOUR WORKWEEK. LET’S SAY GOOD AFTERNOON TO OUR METEOROLOGIST, MARY ELLEN PAN AND MARY ELLEN. IT’S NOT EXACTLY GOING TO FEEL LIKE MID-OCTOBER OUT HERE FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. OH, NO. WE ARE WELL ABOVE AVERAGE OVER THE WEEKEND WE HAD TEMPERATURES ABOVE AVERAGE AND WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE THAT STREAK FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF DAYS AS WE LOOK THROUGH OUR HARRISBURG SKYCAM. THERE IS NOT A CLOUD IN THE SKY. LOTS OF BLUE THERE, A SEA OF BLUE OVER THE HARRISBURG AREA AND REALLY ACROSS THE VALLEY. HIGH PRESSURE DOMINATING MUCH OF THE MID-ATLANTIC AND THE OHIO VALLEY. JUST A FEW CLOUDS UP TOWARDS NEW YORK. BUT THAT’S ABOUT IT. WE’RE GOING TO STAY NICE AND DRY. TEMPERATURES RIGHT NOW ARE WARMING FAST. 73 IN CARLISLE, 72 IN YORK AND NEW FREEDOM, 76 IN LEBANON. WE HAVE 70 IN LANCASTER AND LANDISBURG LEWISTOWN AT 70. HARRISBURG AT 64 DEGREES. YOUR NEXT 12 HOUR FORECAST CALLS FOR ABUNDANT SUNSHINE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON AND TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO CLIMB INTO THE MID AND UPPER 70S THANKS TO THAT WEST BREEZE, ABOUT 5 TO 15MPH. SKIES STAY CLEAR OVERNIGHT TONIGHT IT IS A LITTLE BIT MILDER TONIGHT, SO EACH MORNING GETS A LITTLE BIT BETTER, BUT STILL A CHILLY START. I’LL LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER WE GET TO ENJOY THESE TEMPERATURES AND WHEN FALL LIKE READINGS RETURN TO THE VALLEY. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MARY ELLEN. AND IN HOUSTON, POLICE SAY FOUR PEOPLE, INCLUDING A CHILD, WERE KILLED WHEN A HELICOPTER HIT A RADIO TOWER BEFORE IT CRASHED AND BURST INTO FLAMES. NOW, THE IDENTITIES OF THOSE ON BOARD HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED. NO ONE ON THE GROUND WAS INJURED IN THE CRASH. THE HELICOPTER HAD TAKEN OFF FROM ELLINGTON FIELD AND WAS HEADED TO AN UNKNOWN DESTINATION BEFORE THE CRASH. MEANWHILE, IN GEORGIA, A CELEBRATION ON SAPELO ISLAND TURNED TRAGIC ON SATURDAY WHEN A DOCK COLLAPSED, DUMPING DOZENS OF PEOPLE INTO THE WATER AND KILLING SEVEN. NBC’S PRIYA SHRIDHAR HAS THE LATEST. NEW DETAILS ON A CATASTROPHIC FERRY GANGWAY ACCIDENT. I HEARD SOMETHING POP AND I REACHED FOR THE RAILING, AND WHEN I REACHED FOR THE RAILING, THE RAILING I SAW THE RAILING WAS GONE. AT LEAST SEVEN PEOPLE WERE KILLED AFTER A FERRY RAMP COLLAPSED ON GEORGIA’S SAPELO ISLAND. OFFICIALS SAY PLUNGING AT LEAST 20 PEOPLE INTO THE WATER BELOW. GUESTS WERE IN THE PROCESS OF LOADING THE FERRY. THE ANN MARIE, WHICH WAS TIED UP TO THE DOCK. PASSENGERS WERE BOARDING THE FERRY AND HEADED BACK TO THE MAINLAND WHEN THE GANGPLANK COLLAPSED IN THE MIDDLE. OFFICIALS SAY HUNDREDS WERE GATHERED ON THE SMALL ISLAND ABOUT 60 MILES OFF GEORGIA’S COAST. MANY THERE TO CELEBRATE THE GULLAH GEECHEE COMMUNITY OF BLACK SLAVE DESCENDANTS. THIS IS A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE TO REMEMBER OUR DESCENDANTS. AUTHORITIES SAY TYPICALLY UNDER 100 PEOPLE DAILY COME AND GO FROM THE ISLAND. THAT’S ONLY ACCESSIBLE BY BOAT. BUT THIS WEEKEND, THERE WERE ROUGHLY 700 PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND. MARCIA ARMSTRONG WAS ON THE GANGWAY AND HEARD THE METAL BUCKLING BEFORE SHE PLUMMETED INTO THE OCEAN. SOMETHING TOLD ME TO STOP FIGHTING. STOP KICKING AND LAY ON YOUR BACK. I LAID ON MY BACK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, GOD SENT ME AN ANGEL. AND SHE GRABBED MY HAND AND SHE PULLED ME TO SHORE. AND SHE SAID, I GOT YOU. THAT WAS PRIYA SHRIDHAR IN SAPELO ISLAND, GEORGIA. NOW, THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA IS DOWN UNDER 12 HOURS. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE COMMONWEALTH, AND YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AT YOUR COUNTY’S VOTER REGISTRATION OFFICE DURING BUSINESS HOURS TODAY. OR YOU CAN ALSO REGISTER ONLINE AT VOTE DOT P DOT GOV. NOW LET’S MOVE TO OUR ELECTION COVERAGE WITH 15 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY, VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS IS BACK IN THE COMMONWEALTH. SHE’S HOSTING A CAMPAIGN EVENT IN CHESTER COUNTY WITH FORMER REPUBLICAN CONGRESSWOMAN LIZ CHENEY. IT’S ONE OF THREE STOPS IN BATTLEGROUND STATES STARTING HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA, BEFORE HEADING TO MICHIGAN AND EVENTUALLY WISCONSIN. I THINK IT’S GREAT THAT PEOPLE ARE TURNING OUT AND VOTING AND BEING ACTIVE. I. IT’S WHAT WE SHOULD ALL WANT, RIGHT? IN OUR DEMOCRACY THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IT’S THEIR CIVIC DUTY, BUT ALSO THAT THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS WILL SIT DOWN WITH NBC NEWS’S HALLIE JACKSON FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW TOMORROW NIGHT. YOU CAN SEE IT ON THE NBC NIGHTLY NEWS TOMORROW NIGHT AT 630. RIGHT HERE ON WGAL. MEANWHILE, DONALD TRUMP WAS IN LANCASTER YESTERDAY AT THE CONVENTION CENTER GIVING TRUMP SUPPORTERS HERE IN LANCASTER COUNTY A CHANCE TO ADDRESS HIM DIRECTLY. NOW, ONE MOMENT THAT STOOD OUT WAS WHEN LANCASTER COUNTY SHERIFF CHRIS LOEFFLER ASKED TRUMP ABOUT CRIME. HOW DOES YOUR PLAN FOR LAW AND ORDER IN YOUR NEXT TERM SUPPORT LOCAL SHERIFFS LIKE MYSELF TO ENSURE WE HAVE THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES. WE’RE GOING TO GIVE YOU BACK THE DIGNITY AND THE RESPECT. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR YOU, AND WE’RE GOING TO WE’RE NOT GOING TO LET THIS HAPPEN. YOU CAN STOP CRIME. YOU JUST HAVE TO BE GIVEN THE GO AHEAD. MEANWHILE, PROTESTERS GATHERED IN PENN SQUARE WITH THEIR MAIN GOAL NOT JUST TO OPPOSE THE TRUMP RALLY IN LANCASTER, BUT ALSO TO HIGHLIGHT ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM. I’M HERE FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, FOR WOMEN AND FREEDOM OF CHOICE, WHETHER IT BE FOR WHO YOU LOVE, WHAT BOOKS YOU READ, ALL OF THE ABOVE. PRIOR TO THE TOWN HALL, TRUMP DID DO A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AT A MCDONALD’S IN BUCKS COUNTY. NOW, TRUMP HAS SPENT WEEKS CLAIMING WITHOUT EVIDENCE, THAT VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS HAS LIED ABOUT WORKING AT THE FAST FOOD SPOT WHILE SHE WAS IN COLLEGE AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY. AND WHILE THERE, EMPLOYEES SHOWED TRUMP HOW TO MAKE FRENCH FRIES. HE ALSO ANSWERED SUPPORTERS QUESTIONS AT THE DRIVE THRU WINDOW. THEN, AFTER THE TOWN HALL, TRUMP ENDED THE NIGHT AT THE STEELERS JETS GAME IN PITTSBURGH, WHERE HE WAS GREETED BY SUPPORTERS AND DETRACTORS ALIKE. THE STEELERS ENDED UP BEATING THE JETS, BY THE WAY, 37 TO 15. MEANWHILE, TESLA AND SPACEX CEO ELON MUSK. ELON MUSK EXCUSE ME, WAS IN HARRISBURG ON SATURDAY CAMPAIGNING FOR DONALD TRUMP. NOW MUSK HAS PREVIOUSLY OFFERED PENNSYLVANIA VOTERS WHO SIGNED A PETITION SUPPORTING THE FIRST AND SECOND AMENDMENT, $100 EACH. AND IF THEY ATTENDED ONE OF HIS EVENTS, THEN AN EVEN BIGGER REWARD WAS ON THE TABLE. WE ARE GOING TO BE AWARDING. $1 MILLION TO RANDOMLY TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED THE SIGNED THE PETITION. EVERY DAY FROM NOW UNTIL THE ELECTION. NOW, JOHN DREYER OF MECHANICSBURG WAS RANDOMLY CHOSEN TO WIN THE $1 MILLION ON SATURDAY, AND THE PRIZES ARE REALLY RAISING QUESTIONS OF LEGALITY. GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO, WHO’S ALSO THE FORMER PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL, SAID DURING HIS APPEARANCE ON MEET THE PRESS ON SUNDAY THAT GIVING MONEY TO PENNSYLVANIA VOTERS IS, QUOTE, DEEPLY CONCERNING. AND WE’RE WORKING TO MAKE YOU A BETTER INFORMED VOTER. TUNE IN TOMORROW NIGHT FOR OUR VOTER GUIDE, WHICH WILL BE HOSTED BY JERE GISH AND LORI BURKHOLDER. IT LOOKS AT EVERYTHING FROM WHO’S ON THE BALLOT TO MAKING SURE THAT YOUR VOTE GETS COUNTED. WE H

Pennsylvania is increasing SNAP benefits and updating income limits. The move comes after the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service made annual adjustments. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh also announced that the replacement of stolen SNAP benefits has been extended. Here’s a breakdown on f the benefit increases, income adjustments and stolen benefits replacement.SNAP benefits increaseBecause of federal SNAP rules, the benefit levels and income limits are updated every year. The changes will benefit all SNAP recipients with an average increase of just over $5 per month, according to DHS.No one will experience a decrease in benefits.Here are the maximum amount of SNAP benefits a household can receive as of Oct. 1, 2024:Household Size 1: $292Household Size 2: $536Household Size 3: $768Household Size 4: $975Household Size 5: $1,158Household Size 6: $1,390Household Size 7: $1,536Household Size 8: $1,756Household Size 9: $1,976Household Size 10: $2,196Each Additional Member: $220There is no change to the minimum monthly benefit this year. That remains $23.New SNAP income limitsHere are the new SNAP income limits as of Oct. 1, 2024:Household Size 1: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $2,510Household Size 2: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $3,408Household Size 3: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $4,304Household Size 4: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $5,200Household Size 5: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $6,098Household Size 6: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $6,994Household Size 7: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $7,890Household Size 8: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $8,788Household Size 9: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $9,686Household Size 10: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $10,584Each additional member: +$898Replacing stolen SNAP benefits”In addition to the benefit changes, DHS has been made aware of multiple reports of EBT card skimming in recent months,” DHS said in a statement. “Skimming is the act of applying a device to a point-of-sale (POS) machine or an ATM to read a card’s magnetic strip, gather its data, and create a cloned card. SNAP recipients are encouraged to protect their EBT cards and personal information, such as a PIN.”How to Request Reimbursement for Stolen SNAP BenefitsIdentify Stolen Benefits: If your SNAP benefits are stolen electronically through December 20, 2024, you are eligible to request reimbursement.Complete Reimbursement Request:Fill out a Benefit Theft Claim.Use either the PDF form or web form.Submit the form within 60 calendar days of the theft incident.Await DHS Evaluation:DHS will validate your request within 30 calendar days.Receive Replacement:If approved, a replacement will be issued within 10 calendar days after evaluation.Report Suspected EBT Skimming:Call the DHS fraud tip line at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844-347-8477).Report via the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) website.Stay Informed and Safe:Check DHS’ Scam page for current scams and phishing attempts.Contact DHS’ Office of Income Maintenance with any questions regarding communication legitimacy.How to apply for SNAPIf you don’t know if you’re eligible for SNAP, you can still apply.Online: Apply for or renew your SNAP benefits online by using COMPASS.In person: File an application at your county assistance office. You can download an application, fill it out and return it to your county assistance office.If you need help completing the application form or need more information about benefits, county assistance office staff can help you in person.The following can apply:The head of the householdThe spouse of the head of householdAny other responsible household memberA designated authorized representative (can be a friend, relative, neighbor, or anyone else the applicant trusts to go food shopping and use their SNAP benefits)

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

Pennsylvania is increasing SNAP benefits and updating income limits. The move comes after the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service made annual adjustments.

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh also announced that the replacement of stolen SNAP benefits has been extended. Here’s a breakdown on f the benefit increases, income adjustments and stolen benefits replacement.

SNAP benefits increase

Because of federal SNAP rules, the benefit levels and income limits are updated every year. The changes will benefit all SNAP recipients with an average increase of just over $5 per month, according to DHS.

No one will experience a decrease in benefits.

Here are the maximum amount of SNAP benefits a household can receive as of Oct. 1, 2024:

Household Size 1: $292
Household Size 2: $536
Household Size 3: $768
Household Size 4: $975
Household Size 5: $1,158
Household Size 6: $1,390
Household Size 7: $1,536
Household Size 8: $1,756
Household Size 9: $1,976
Household Size 10: $2,196
Each Additional Member: $220

There is no change to the minimum monthly benefit this year. That remains $23.

New SNAP income limits

Here are the new SNAP income limits as of Oct. 1, 2024:

Household Size 1: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $2,510
Household Size 2: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $3,408
Household Size 3: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $4,304
Household Size 4: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $5,200
Household Size 5: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $6,098
Household Size 6: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $6,994
Household Size 7: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $7,890
Household Size 8: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $8,788
Household Size 9: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $9,686
Household Size 10: Maximum Gross Monthly Income $10,584
Each additional member: +$898

Replacing stolen SNAP benefits

“In addition to the benefit changes, DHS has been made aware of multiple reports of EBT card skimming in recent months,” DHS said in a statement. “Skimming is the act of applying a device to a point-of-sale (POS) machine or an ATM to read a card’s magnetic strip, gather its data, and create a cloned card. SNAP recipients are encouraged to protect their EBT cards and personal information, such as a PIN.”

How to Request Reimbursement for Stolen SNAP Benefits

Identify Stolen Benefits: If your SNAP benefits are stolen electronically through December 20, 2024, you are eligible to request reimbursement.
Complete Reimbursement Request:
Await DHS Evaluation:
- DHS will validate your request within 30 calendar days.
Receive Replacement:
- If approved, a replacement will be issued within 10 calendar days after evaluation.

Report Suspected EBT Skimming:

Call the DHS fraud tip line at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844-347-8477).
Report via the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) website.

Stay Informed and Safe:

How to apply for SNAP

If you don’t know if you’re eligible for SNAP, you can still apply.

If you need help completing the application form or need more information about benefits, county assistance office staff can help you in person.

The following can apply:

The head of the household
The spouse of the head of household
Any other responsible household member
A designated authorized representative (can be a friend, relative, neighbor, or anyone else the applicant trusts to go food shopping and use their SNAP benefits)

Source