Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative is holding the next food distributions 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. April 8 to Whitehall Township and Coplay Borough residents at the group’s food pantry, 3024 S. Ruch St., Whitehall.

Please read and share this information on SNAP and a Pennsylvania state update released March 9.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, helps low-income people buy food for healthy meals at participating stores. SNAP benefits increase household food-buying power when added to the household’s income.

Enrollment for SNAP in Pennsylvania has increased by 82,270 people since February 2020, for a total enrollment of about 1,819,729 in January 2021 - a 4.7-percent increase. This includes 695,405 children, 184,406 older adults and 687,739 people with disabilities.

SNAP can buy any food for the household, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, snack foods, nonalcoholic beverages and seeds and plants.

Households cannot use SNAP benefits to buy beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, supplements, live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water and animals slaughtered before pickup), prepared foods for immediate consumption, hot foods, pet food, cleaning supplies, paper products, hygiene items and cosmetics. If an item has a supplement facts label, it is considered a supplement and is not eligible for SNAP purchase.

The maximum benefit amounts for January 2021 through June 2021 are as follows: a family of one, $234; a family of two, $430; a family of three, $616; a family of four, $782; a family of five, $929; a family of six, $1,114; a family of seven, $1,232; and a family of eight, $1,408. Add $176 for each additional person.

Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller announced March 9 Pennsylvanians can now apply for SNAP over the phone by calling 1-866-550-4355. This accessibility enhancement will benefit the growing number of Pennsylvanians participating in the program during times of economic challenges, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This new service is designed to provide all applicants, but especially those without access to a computer or Internet service, with a quick and easy way to submit applications for SNAP,” Miller said. “We hope this change will make SNAP more accessible to individuals and households most affected by the digital divide.”

Callers will be asked to provide the same information for a SNAP application by phone as one submitted online at compass.state.pa.us. Pennsylvanians applying for SNAP and other public assistance programs do not need to know their own eligibility before applying.

Those who prefer to submit a paper application can print one from the DHS website, pick one up at a county assistance office or request an application by phone at 1-800-692-7462. Then, mail it to the local county assistance office or place it in the office’s secure drop box, if available.

While county offices remain closed due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the department’s work to process applications, determine eligibility and issue benefits continues. On average, SNAP applications are processed within six days.

Clients can also use COMPASS or the MyCOMPASS PA mobile app to submit necessary updates to their case files while offices are closed to the public. Applications for SNAP, Medicaid and other public assistance programs that provide help with utilities, home energy and cash assistance can be submitted online at compass.state.pa.us.