Email: isac@jfcspgh.org  |  Call: 412.742.4200

MAKE A REFERRAL

Important information about food benefits (SNAP):

Under current federal rules, refugees cannot get SNAP food benefits if they do not have a green card.

In July 2025, a new federal law changed who can receive SNAP. Now, SNAP is only available to U.S. citizens, people with green cards, Cuban and Haitian entrants or parolees, and citizens of COFA (Compact of Free Association) countries. This means that many people who were eligible before such as refugees, asylees, survivors of trafficking or domestic violence, and some parolees can no longer receive SNAP unless they have a green card.

Adam Mkandama’s Story (Dem. Rep. of Congo)

adam mkandama's story (dem. rep. of congo)

Adam, age 9, shares his story and some thoughts about home and family.

What does home mean to you?

Home is more than just a house. Home makes you feel good and the people in your home make it feel good and make you feel proud and you feel safe at home. 

What does family mean to you?

My family is my mom, my dad, my brother and sisters, and grandma and grandpa. They don’t all have to be in your house but they are the people who make you feel good, but even when they make you angry or you make them angry they still like you and are still your family.