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Transferring SNAP (Food Stamps) from Pennsylvania to Maryland

The case itself does not move, but your EBT balance does: federal rules make the card work in every state. So the sequence is simple — close out with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, then apply with Maryland Department of Human Services as soon as you are in Maryland. Never hold cases in both states at once.

Both states apply the same gross income limit (200% of the federal poverty level), so if you qualified in Pennsylvania, income alone should not disqualify you in Maryland.

Official Maryland SNAP agency: Maryland Department of Human Services ↗ (application page)

Your step-by-step checklist

Before you move

  1. 1

    Tell Pennsylvania Department of Human Services you are moving out of state

    Report your move to your County Assistance Office (or via your COMPASS account / the Customer Service Center 877-395-8930) and ask to close your SNAP case before applying in your new state — no SNAP in two states in the same month.

    Pennsylvania Department of Human Services ↗

Moving week

  1. 2

    Keep your EBT card — the balance still works

    Benefits already on your EBT card remain yours and the card works at SNAP retailers in any state. Spend-down is not required before moving.

After you arrive

  1. 3

    Apply with Maryland Department of Human Services right away

    File the day you arrive if you can — approval can take up to 30 days. If your old state already issued SNAP for the month you move, your new benefits begin the following month; if not, the first month is prorated from your application date, not your arrival date. Stated processing: up to 30 days.

    Online application ↗
  2. 4

    Ask about expedited SNAP

    If you have very low cash and resources after the move, federal rules require expedited service — benefits within 7 days.

Pennsylvania vs Maryland: the numbers that decide it

 Pennsylvania (old state)Maryland (new state)
Program namePennsylvania SNAPFood Supplement Program
AgencyPennsylvania Department of Human ServicesMaryland Department of Human Services
Broad-Based Categorical EligibilityYesYes
Gross income limit200% of the federal poverty level200% of the federal poverty level
Verified 2026-08-08 (Pennsylvania) and 2026-08-08 (Maryland) against the official sources cited below.

Monthly income limits by household size: Pennsylvania vs Maryland

Household sizePennsylvaniaMaryland
1 person$2,660$2,660
2 people$3,607$3,607
3 people$4,554$4,554
4 people$5,500$5,500
5 people$6,447$6,447
6 people$7,394$7,394

SNAP gross limits for October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027, computed from each state's % of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines the way USDA computes its tables. Each state's own chart controls. Full tables: Pennsylvania · Maryland · 2026 poverty guidelines.

Moving with more than one benefit?

The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.

Build the full Pennsylvania → Maryland checklist

Common questions

Will my EBT card from Pennsylvania work in Maryland?

Yes. EBT is interoperable nationwide, so any balance already issued spends normally at SNAP retailers in Maryland. The card keeps working until the balance is used, even after your Pennsylvania case closes.

Can I get SNAP in both states during the moving month?

No — receiving SNAP from two states in the same month is a program violation. Close the Pennsylvania case for the month you leave, then apply in Maryland. If Pennsylvania already issued your benefits for the month you move, Maryland cannot pay that month too, so your Maryland benefits begin the following month; if not, Maryland prorates your first month from the day you apply.

How fast can Maryland approve my new SNAP case?

Federal rules give Maryland Department of Human Services up to 30 days, or 7 days for expedited service if your household has very low cash and resources after the move. Stated timing: up to 30 days.

Where do I actually apply in Maryland?

Through Maryland Department of Human Services (online application linked above). Official SNAP pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.

Related guides

Other benefits on the same move

Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) · Expedited SNAP · EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer)

Official sources

Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .

Written by Benefits Transfer Editorial Team

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor

Last verified