Shapiro Admin Launches Certification of E&T Programs Help SNAP Recipients | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Changes to federal law require certain SNAP applicants and recipients to participate in work, education, training, and/or volunteering to continue receiving benefits.

New certification program will increase the number of SNAP employment and training sites to help SNAP recipients meet these requirements.

Philadelphia, PA - Today, the Shapiro Administration announced a new initiative that will streamline the certification of programs that help SNAP recipients meet federal work and reporting requirements, thereby maintaining their ability to feed themselves and their families.

Through the new program, education and training sites that are not currently certified in the SNAP Employment & Training program - but may be providing those services to SNAP recipients - can apply for streamlined certification through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). This new certification program will expand the number of training providers available across Pennsylvania and connect SNAP recipients to vital education, job training, and employment opportunities, helping them meet federal work and education reporting requirements signed into law by President Trump in July 2025.

Previously, education and training sites did not have an easy, fast way to receive DHS certification; this new initiative will make that process easier and ensure more Pennsylvanians are fed.

DHS Office of Income Maintenance Deputy Secretary Hoa Pham and Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Patricia Blumenauer met with students and leadership at Community College of Philadelphia to talk about how SNAP employment and training programs help them learn and prepare for careers while meeting their basic needs.

"Nearly two million Pennsylvanians receive life-sustaining food benefits from SNAP every month. It is this extra bit of help putting food on their tables that enables people to go to school, work, and live healthy lives with the dignity we all deserve," said Deputy Secretary Pham. "DHS is committed to working with employment and training providers and community-based and non-profit organizations to expand opportunities and ensure Pennsylvanians who qualify for SNAP keep those benefits so they can feed themselves and their families."

DHS administers several SNAP Employment & Training (E&T) Programs, including the SNAP KEYS (Keystone Education Yields Success) program, which provides educational and social supports for students who receive SNAP to help them succeed in community college - including the Community College of Philadelphia - and access the education and training they need to pursue their goals, succeed in the workforce, and find family-sustaining careers.

If a SNAP recipient is participating in a SNAP KEYS program or other DHS-certified E&T program, they are meeting the new federal requirements to remain eligible for SNAP.

Program eligibility criteria and application form for certification is available at dhs.pa.gov/work.

"Changes to federal law can feel overwhelming, but our message to Pennsylvanians is simple: the Shapiro Administration is here to help. Through close coordination between DHS and L&I, we are ensuring that SNAP recipients have reliable access to employment and training opportunities, creating clear, supportive pathways to meet the new requirements and helping more education and training sites obtain the certifications they need," said Deputy Secretary Blumenauer. "At L&I, that includes connecting individuals to PA CareerLink® services and registered apprenticeships, which allow people to earn while they learn and build skills for family-sustaining careers."

The PA CareerLink® network helps Pennsylvanians register for career and training services, search for job postings, and upload their resumes to make themselves visible and available to thousands of employers. Some of the free career-building and other services provided include resume building/posting/submitting workshops, mock interviews, job search and training assistance, adult education classes and workshops, and more.

Registered apprenticeships are innovative training programs that provide individuals with a learn-while-you-earn approach to career development. Since the start of the Shapiro Administration, Pennsylvania has registered more than 230 apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in sectors including health care, advanced manufacturing, information technology, transportation, agriculture, and the skilled trades.

At Community College of Philadelphia, approximately 4,000 students or their parents receive crucial SNAP benefits. Programs like KEYS support students meet their academic goals while navigating the resources that help them meet their financial needs. Through KEYS, students who receive SNAP and/or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits can be connected with appropriate support services both in and outside the College.

"At CCP, we are dedicated to helping every student thrive and reach their full potential," said Dr. Alycia Marshall, president of Community College of Philadelphia. "By making access to SNAP benefits easier, we remove barriers so students can focus on learning and growth. Through KEYS, students receiving TANF and SNAP also gain tutoring, advising, and career counseling, comprehensive support that empowers them to succeed academically and prepare for a bright future."

Contact DHS

SNAP recipients with questions about work and reporting requirements should talk with a caseworker at DHS' County Assistance Office or call the Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930 (or 215-560-7226 for people living in Philadelphia). Caseworkers can also assist with enrollment in the SNAP KEYS program and other SNAP E&T programs.

For more information on SNAP work and reporting requirements, including videos and a communications toolkit, visit dhs.pa.gov/work.