Food & Nutrition Benefits
Everyone deserves reliable access to food.
Whether you need a little help with groceries this month, ongoing food benefits, meals for your children, pregnancy or infant nutrition support, or food delivered to an older family member, there are programs that may be able to help.
SNAP: Explained - Monthly help paying for groceries
SNAP provides money each month to eligible households to help buy food. Benefits are loaded onto an EBT/ACCESS card, which works similarly to a debit card at participating grocery stores, markets, and other retailers.
You can use SNAP for many grocery items, including:
Fruits and vegetables
Meat, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Bread and cereal
Snacks and other foods
Seeds and food-producing plants
Who can qualify?
Eligibility depends on things like:
How many people are in your household
Household income
Certain household expenses
Whether someone in the household is 60+ or has a disability
Other circumstances
You don't have to figure out whether you qualify before applying. Pennsylvania specifically encourages people who need help buying food to apply. The state will review your situation and determine whether you're eligible.
How to Apply
Option 1: Apply online
The easiest option for many people is Pennsylvania's COMPASS website. You can create an account, complete the application online, upload documents, and manage your benefits.
Apply:
https://www.compass.dhs.pa.gov/
Option 2: Get free help applying through CADCOM
If the application feels confusing, you don't have to do it alone.
The Community Action Development Commission (CADCOM) helps Montgomery County residents:
Figure out whether they may qualify
Complete SNAP applications
Enroll over the phone
Understand SNAP rights
Work through problems with the County Assistance Office
Phone applications with CADCOM generally take about 20–45 minutes depending on household size.
CADCOM
113 E. Main Street
Norristown, PA 19401
Phone: 610-277-6363
SNAP Outreach Coordinator: 610-277-6363 ext. 140
Website:
https://www.cadcom.org/snap
Important: CADCOM can help you apply, but the Pennsylvania County Assistance Office makes the final decision about eligibility and benefits.
After You Apply
You may be asked for documents to verify things like your identity, income, household information, or expenses. You can also check the status of a Pennsylvania SNAP application online at https://trackmybenefits.pa.gov/
Not sure if your income is too high?
Apply anyway. SNAP eligibility isn't always as simple as looking at your paycheck. Household size and other circumstances can affect eligibility. As of the current benefit year beginning October 1, 2025, Pennsylvania lists the maximum gross monthly income for a household of one as $2,610, with higher limits for larger households. These amounts change periodically, so check the state website rather than assuming you don't qualify.
Current SNAP information:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/snap
WIC - Food and nutrition support during pregnancy and early childhood
WIC provides nutrition support for:
People who are pregnant
People who recently had a baby
People who are breastfeeding
Infants
Children under age 5
Fathers, grandparents, foster parents, and other legal guardians can also apply for WIC for a child under 5 in their care.
WIC can provide:
Money for specific nutritious foods
Infant formula when appropriate
Nutrition education
Breastfeeding support
Referrals to health and community services
Farmers market benefits when available
Benefits are provided through an eWIC card that can be used for approved foods at participating stores.
How to Apply
You can start online or contact a local WIC office.
Pennsylvania WIC:
1-800-WIC-WINS
Start online:
https://www.pawic.com/
Montgomery County WIC Locations
Norristown WIC Center
1340 DeKalb Street, Suite 1
Norristown, PA 19401
610-806-7055
Pottstown WIC Center
700 Heritage Drive, Suite 702
Pottstown, PA 19464
484-278-3674
Colmar WIC Center
2515 N. Broad Street
Colmar, PA 18915
215-948-5141
What should I bring to my first appointment?
WIC may ask you to bring:
Identification
Proof of Pennsylvania address
Proof of household income
ACCESS card, if you have one
Proof of pregnancy/due date, if applicable
Your child under age 5 who is applying
Immunization records for children under 2, if available
If you're unsure whether you have everything, call anyway. WIC staff can tell you what is needed for your situation.
Learn more:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/maternal-health-and-infant-care/wic
Free & Reduced-Price School Meals
Children attending participating schools may qualify for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch. Some children are automatically eligible because their household already participates in certain public-benefit programs. Other families may need to complete a school meal application.
How do I apply?
Start by asking your child's school or school district about its Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application. Participating Pennsylvania schools may also use COMPASS for online applications.
COMPASS:
https://www.compass.dhs.pa.gov/
Pennsylvania School Food & Nutrition Programs:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/schools/food-and-nutrition
SUN Bucks / Summer EBT - Grocery help when school is out
SUN Bucks, also called Summer EBT, helps eligible families with school-age children buy groceries during summer break. A lot of children qualify automatically, particularly when they already receive certain benefits or have already been determined eligible through another program. That means you may not need to submit a separate application. Eligibility and application procedures can change from summer to summer, so check Pennsylvania's current SUN Bucks information before applying.
Tip: Make sure your address and contact information are current with your child's school and with Pennsylvania DHS if your household receives benefits. This helps make sure benefits or an EBT card reach the correct household.
Learn about SUN Bucks:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/snap/summer-ebt
Farmers Market Benefits
Fresh produce may be available through special Pennsylvania farmers market programs.
If You Receive WIC
People receiving WIC may also receive Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) benefits during the program season.
These benefits can be used with participating farmers for Pennsylvania-grown:
Fresh fruits
Fresh vegetables
Fresh herbs
Ask your WIC office about Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits!
If You Are 60+
Pennsylvania also has a Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) for eligible lower-income adults age 60+. Benefits can be used at participating farmers markets and farm stands for Pennsylvania-grown fruits, vegetables, and edible herbs. The program is seasonal and benefits are available first come, first served, so applying earlier in the season is a good idea.
Learn more and find participating markets:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/food/food-assistance/farmers-market-nutrition-programs
Senior Food Box Program
Monthly groceries for eligible adults age 60+
Pennsylvania's Senior Food Box Program provides a free box of nutritious shelf-stable food every month to eligible adults age 60 and older.
Boxes may contain foods such as:
Canned fruits and vegetables
Cereal
Pasta
Peanut butter
Canned meat
Juice
Shelf-stable milk
This is supplemental food assistance, meaning it isn't intended to provide every meal for the month.
Who may qualify?
You must:
Be at least 60 years old
Meet the program's income guidelines
For 2026, a one-person household may qualify with income up to $23,475 per year, and the limit increases with household size.
How do I get started?
Call the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at: 800-468-2433
They can connect you with the organization distributing Senior Food Boxes in your area.
Home-Delivered Meals for Older Adults: For Montgomery County residents who cannot safely shop or prepare meals
Montgomery County's Home Delivered Meals Program provides meals to eligible older adults in their homes.
You may qualify if you:
Live in Montgomery County
Are age 60+
Cannot safely prepare meals yourself
Cannot grocery shop yourself
Do not have someone regularly available to provide meals or grocery shopping
There is no income requirement for someone who otherwise qualifies. Meals may be hot, cold, or frozen depending on the provider and may be delivered daily, weekly, or on another schedule.
Montgomery County Aging Services:
610-278-3601