HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is offering a new way for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to find volunteer opportunities in the Commonwealth to meet new federal work and reporting requirements.

Under new federal guidelines passed in the Federal Budget Bill in 2025, to keep or become eligible for SNAP benefits, certain people must meet work requirements that can include working, volunteering or participating in an education or training program for at least 20 hours a week, totalling 80 hours each month. Recipients must also report they are meeting these requirements.

If requirements aren’t met, they may only receive three months of SNAP benefits in a three-year period.

Someone who may lose these benefits may reapply anytime and can if they begin to meet work, training, education or volunteering requirements.

According to an announcement made by DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh on Tuesday, SNAP recipients can now visit PA Navigate to search for volunteer opportunities within their zip code.

“DHS is committed to doing everything we can to connect Pennsylvanians who receive SNAP with tools and information to help them keep their benefits and feed themselves and their families. Adding volunteer listings to PA Navigate helps SNAP recipients meet the new federal requirements and helps community-based organizations fill volunteer roles, which are often so important to their ability to serve their communities,” said Arkoosh. “I encourage organizations that need volunteers to list those roles on PA Navigate so they can meet their organizational needs and find qualified volunteers among the SNAP recipients who are looking for those opportunities to maintain their benefits.”

According to a press release from the Shapiro Administration, “PA Navigate’s new volunteer search will connect nonprofits looking for volunteer help to SNAP recipients who must comply with the new federal rules to keep their access to food assistance.”

To find volunteer opportunities on PA Navigate:

— Go to pa-navigate.org, enter your ZIP code and search for “volunteer opportunity.”

— A list of local programs offering volunteer opportunities appears.

— Contact the organization where you want to volunteer to learn more and get connected to volunteer opportunities.

— The organization where you volunteer completes the Community Service Verification Form to track your volunteer hours.

If a community-based organization would like to list volunteer opportunities on PA Navigate, visit https://www.panavigatehelp.org/.

According to PA Navigate, the following organization offers volunteer opportunities in the Lock Haven area:

— STEP Office of Aging: STEP Office of Aging is located at 124 E. Walnut St., Lock Haven. To inquire about volunteer opportunities, call 570-858-5800.

According to the release from the Shapiro Administration, PA Navigate “is a statewide community information network, designed to address health and social care needs for individuals by connecting them to community organizations that can help, while keeping care teams in the loop.”

The consortium is composed of four Pa. Health Information Exchanges including ClinicalConnect, Central PA Connect, HealthShare Exchange and KeyHIE.

SNAP recipients with questions about how to report work, education, training or volunteering activities can contact their caseworker at DHS’ County Assistance Office or call the Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930 (or 215-560-7226 if you live in Philadelphia).

For more information about work and reporting requirements, visit dhs.pa.gov/work.