SNAP Food Benefits and the Berks County Assistance Office
SNAP, formerly called food stamps, helps Pennsylvanians buy groceries with an EBT Card, and the office that takes applications in person in this county is the Berks County Assistance Office in Reading. The benefits are not cash and can only be used on food purchases.
To qualify you must meet certain rules set by the federal government. Eligibility depends on your total household income, which must be within federal limits, and on details of your household: health, disability status and household size can affect eligibility. It also matters whether a member of your household is 60 years old or older, or has a disability. Some adults must work or volunteer to stay eligible, and in some cases going to school or being in a job training program can meet that requirement.
The income guidelines effective October 1, 2026 set the maximum gross monthly income at $2,660 for a household of one, $3,608 for two, $4,554 for three, $5,500 for four, $6,448 for five, $7,394 for six, $8,340 for seven, $9,288 for eight, $10,236 for nine and $11,184 for ten, plus $948 for each additional person. Your household's SNAP income limit depends on multiple factors, so the best way to know what you qualify for is to apply.
The maximum benefit amounts effective October 1, 2026 are $306 a month for a family of one, $562 for two, $808 for three, $1,023 for four, $1,217 for five, $1,463 for six, $1,616 for seven and $1,841 for eight, with $225 added for each additional person. Households with 18 or more people are subject to a household cap and may receive no more than $3,887 in monthly benefits regardless of the number of household members.
You do not need to know whether you are eligible to apply. All Pennsylvanians who need help are encouraged to apply, and DHS will review your application and let you know. There are three ways to apply:
- Online through COMPASS, Pennsylvania's benefits management website, at compass.dhs.pa.gov
- In person at your local county assistance office
- By downloading a paper application, completing it, and delivering it in person or mailing it to your local county assistance office
The paper application is offered in English and in Spanish. Applications and renewals can also be submitted at your local county assistance office drop box.
The application can be filed by the head of the household, the spouse of the head of household, any other responsible household member, or a designated authorized representative, which can be a friend, relative, neighbor or community organization, or anyone else the applicant trusts to go food shopping and use their SNAP benefits.
The Berks County Assistance Office is in the Reading State Office Building, 625 Cherry Street, Reading, PA 19602-1188. Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number is 610-736-4211, with a toll-free line at 1-866-215-3912. Caseworkers are available at the county assistance office to help you and answer your questions in person or over the phone, if the office is closed to the public.
After you apply, you can check your application at any time. Go to trackmybenefits.pa.gov to see updates on your LIHEAP, Medicaid, SNAP or TANF application.
For general questions about SNAP, you can call the Department of Human Services Helpline, toll-free, at 1-800-692-7462, or 1-800-451-5886 for individuals with hearing impairments.
A new federal law requires some SNAP recipients to work, volunteer, or be in school or a job training program to stay eligible. To keep getting benefits, you may need to report this to DHS.
The page does not say how long a decision takes or list documents to bring.
Source: pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/snap, read November 3, 2026.
The details
Read the rest
Training and education: In some cases, going to school or being in a job training program can meet the requirement. Factors that determine your eligibility include household size, monthly income, and if a member of your household is 60 years old or older, or has a disability. The best way to determine if and how much your household will qualify for SNAP is to apply. SNAP Income Guidelines (effective October 1, 2026) What is the income limit for my family size? Your household’s SNAP income limit depends on multiple factors. The table shows the maximum monthly income, but the best way to know what you qualify for is to apply. Household Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Each Addt’l Maximum Gross Monthly Income $2,660 $3,608 $4,554 $5,500 $6,448 $7,394 $8,340 $9,288 $10,236 $11,184 $948
Read the rest
Who 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 community organization) anyone else the applicant trusts to go food shopping and use their SNAP benefits) Apply now Apply Online Apply for SNAP online via COMPASS, Pennsylvania’s benefits management website Go to COMPASS Apply In Person You can apply for SNAP and other benefits at your local county assistance office Find Your County Assistance Office Print an Application You can download a paper application, complete and deliver it in person, or mail it to your local county assistance office.
In Berks County Assistance Office’s words
SNAP, formerly called food stamps, helps Pennsylvanians buy groceries with an EBT Card. If you need help paying for food, you can apply. The table shows the highest monthly benefit a family can receive based on family size. These benefits are not cash and can only be used on food purchases.
Organization
Berks County Assistance Office
Organization profile in our directory →About this listing
This listing summarizes publicly available information from pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/snap. Last recorded review: November 3, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.