How to Apply for TANF in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania processes TANF — referred to on state forms simply as Cash Assistance — through COMPASS, the same online system used for SNAP and Medical Assistance, and every applicant is paired with a County Assistance Office (CAO) caseworker who helps complete an Agreement of Mutual Responsibility (AMR), a signed plan spelling out the steps (job search, training, applying for Social Security) the household will take to move off assistance. Pennsylvania caps the resource limit at just $1,000 in countable assets, excluding your primary residence.

Updated August 2026

1. 1

   Apply online through COMPASS

   Go to compass.dhs.pa.gov and apply in your county of residence for Cash Assistance, SNAP, and Medical Assistance together.

2. 2

   Or apply in person at your County Assistance Office

   Find your local CAO to fill out an application, ask questions, and get help from a trained worker.

3. 3

   Or apply by mail

   Download and complete the Application for Cash Assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance Benefits (Form PA-0600, also available in Spanish) and return it to your local CAO.

4. 4

   Complete an Agreement of Mutual Responsibility

   Work with your caseworker on an AMR, a signed plan for how you will move toward self-sufficiency, such as looking for work, attending training, or applying for Social Security benefits.

5. 5

   Cooperate with paternity and child support requirements

   If you're seeking assistance for a dependent child, you generally must cooperate with paternity and child support requirements unless you have good cause not to.

6. 6

   Track your application status

   Check the status of your TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, or LIHEAP application anytime at trackmybenefits.pa.gov.

Verified against the official Pennsylvania TANF agency site. View source