Single Father’s SNAP Benefits Plummet After Household Size Reduces: From $177 to Zero
Michael Wentling’s SNAP Benefit Dilemma: A Three-Person Household Receiving No Aid
Michael Wentling, a single father living with disability in Cumberland County, experienced a puzzling situation with his SNAP benefits. When one of his three children moved out, reducing his household size from four to three, his benefits took a significant hit, dropping from $177 to nothing. This seemed confusing to Wentling, especially when he used an online calculator and discovered that a family of two with similar income and expenses would receive $23 monthly, while a family of three like his would receive nothing. Seeking clarification, Wentling reached out to abc27 News, suspecting that other families might be facing similar issues. Despite attempts to contact Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) for an explanation, no response was received. Additionally, SNAP Screener, an online benefits calculator, confirmed the possibility of a three-person household receiving less assistance than a two-person household due to specific eligibility rules.
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Online Calculator Reveals Counterintuitive SNAP Benefits for Families in Pennsylvania
This discrepancy sheds light on a unique aspect of Pennsylvania’s SNAP eligibility system, where certain households may receive less support despite meeting income requirements. Although Pennsylvania boasts relatively generous SNAP eligibility compared to other states, some families, like Wentling’s, find themselves receiving even less assistance than smaller households with similar income and expenses.