November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be issued to approximately 2 million Pennsylvanians because the federal government shutdown
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has informed Pennsylvania that it will be unable to fully fund the SNAP, state officials said this week.
The USDA notified states on Oct. 10 that full SNAP funding would not be available unless Congress passes a budget or continuing resolution to reopen the federal government.
Pennsylvania does not have the ability to cover the costs of the program, which typically distributes more than $366 million every month in federal funding to the commonwealth, officials said.
SNAP has been fully funded by the federal government since its inception in 1964.
Without action from the White House or Congress to end the shutdown, SNAP payments for November will not be issued to Pennsylvanians.
Recipients who have unspent SNAP funds on their Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, cards will still be able to use those funds. SNAP benefits do not expire at the end of each month and remain available for a calendar year. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, or DHS, encourages recipients to keep their card locked with the ConnectEBT app or website to protect benefits when the card is not in use.
DHS will continue to process applications for SNAP and other benefits during the shutdown, officials said.
Recipients must continue to report case changes, submit any semi-annual reviews or renewals they receive during this period, and update their cases for the new federal work reporting requirements that start Nov. 1 to avoid risking an interruption of future benefits.
For needs during the shutdown, Pennsylvanians can use PA Navigate (pa-navigate.org) to find food and other resources. Local help is also available by calling 211 or visiting pa211.org. Additionally, residents can visit feedingpa.org to find local food banks and assistance programs.
Pennsylvanians who are able to assist their local food banks, food pantries, and other helping organizations are encouraged to support them as they “continue to experience high demand,” DHS stated.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, criticized Congressional Republicans for the funding lapse.
“Republicans’ failure to pass a federal budget in Washington, D.C. is having a direct impact on our Commonwealth and now, this federal shutdown is threatening critical food assistance for two million Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families,” Shapiro said. “In July, Republicans in Congress voted to knock 310,000 Pennsylvanians off Medicaid and 144,000 off SNAP, all in order to give a tax cut for people who don’t need it. Now, Republicans are once again threatening vital support for Pennsylvania families and children – it’s time for them to pass a federal budget and end this shutdown.”
Pennsylvania Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh shared the governor’s concerns, stating that the inaction “disrupts life-sustaining food assistance and other critical programs and further endangers health and wellbeing for Pennsylvanians who rely on these programs and services.”
“I urge Republicans in Congress to recognize the serious consequences impacting local economies, small businesses, and the health and safety of people in Pennsylvania and nationally,” Arkoosh said.
The current changes to SNAP funding follow the implementation of new restrictions on the program after the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill Act.
