Food, Transportation and Other Essentials

Find food or get a ride to an appointment.

Drive-up distribution, meal delivery & other food resources

Start with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

This tool can help you figure out which food resources are best for you, whether its weekly free groceries or monthly free boxes for seniors.
See dates of upcoming drive-up and walk-in food distributions here.

Sign up for SNAP (food stamps)

Apply for SNAP today through the PA Department of Human Services.

Apply online
Fill out and submit a paper application in person at a county assistance office.
- Application for cash assistance, SNAP, and Medical Assistance benefits (English)
- Solicitud para recibir beneficios (Espanol)

If you qualify for SNAP, you also qualify to receive 50% off transit fares with PRT. Apply here.

Avoid Losing SNAP Benefits

As of September 1, 2025, most adults on SNAP are now required to either work at least 20 hours/week or qualify for an exemption. People who do not appropriately document that they meet these conditions can only receive 3 months of benefits over a 3-year period. Additional details about who needs to take action, and when, can be found on the PA DHS website.

Who should take action:

Needs to Take Action	Does Not Need to Take Action
Adults ages 18-64	Children under 18
	Adults over 64
	Parents with a child under 14 in their SNAP household
	Adults receiving SSI or SSDI

For those who Need to Take Action, you can:

Find instructions about what forms to fill out in the Action Toolkit. Visit a trained community partner to learn which paperwork you need to complete and get help returning it.

Call Just Harvest at 412-431-8960 (option 3). You will need to leave a message, and your call will be returned.

If you are a partner hoping to spread the word about how to navigate these changes, see the Action Toolkit.

Lost Benefits?

You still may be eligible for assistance. For help understanding if you are still eligible and how to get benefits reinstated:

Call Just Harvest at 412-431-8960 (option 3). You will need to leave a message, and your call will be returned. They can help you understand the new eligibility parameters, whether you meet them, and what to do next.

Food and essentials for pregnant individuals and new parents

Start with Hello Baby

If you are pregnant or have a young child, you may quality for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program. Fill out this short form or call 412-350-5801. Learn more about getting started with WIC.

Get transportation to an appointment

Start with the Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP)

If you live in Allegheny County and are receiving Medicaid, you may be eligible for free public transportation (bus, subway, incline) ahead of time tickets, or reimbursement for your use of public transportation/private vehicle, or free door-to-door service when medically necessary via a shared ride.

MATP is required by law to provide the least costly, most appropriate transportation service available.

Call 1-888-547-MATP (6287) Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or
Fill out the application (MATP application for adults) (MATP application for anyone younger than 18) sign it and email to: MATP@alleghenycounty.us. You can also drop it off at the Human Services Building at One Smithfield Street on the 1st floor.