HARRISBURG, Pa. (EYT) — The Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced that as of April 27, 2015, it is eliminating the SNAP asset test.

“The elimination of the SNAP asset test will save millions in state funds and better protects Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable,” said the DHS in a release issued yesterday.

“The case closures disproportionately impacted households with a disabled individual or an older Pennsylvanian.”

The DHS says anticipated state savings from eliminating the asset test are $3.5 million annually.

“This will also remove unnecessary administrative burdens and costs to the commonwealth, as well as increased errors that could potentially result in federal sanctions for the state.”

DHS will implement this policy change by issuing a letter of notification from the administration to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).

SNAP, previously known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides monthly benefits to approximately 1.83 million low-income Pennsylvanians in need of nutrition assistance.