Gov. Josh Shapiro said his administration is working hard to provide the millions of Pennsylvanians to receive the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits they deserve and need. SNAP benefits have been reinstated for the millions of Americans following the reopening of the federal government, but with new restrictions that may have many lose the benefits permanently, and many that need to now reapply for the benefits.
SNAP benefits were created in 1964. Each month, about 42 million people in the U.S. rely on and receive those benefits to place food on the table. Though now many of the people will need to reapply for the benefits under a planned overhaul of the program, an effort to cut down on “fraud,” which was announced in the wake of the government’s reopening, by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
New policies and requirements as a result of President Donald Trump’s megabill, which was signed into law back in July, this law will introduce new work requirements, limit eligibility for refugees, and require states to bear some of the program’s costs. Under the megabill, some changes, such as the upper age limit for those who need to meet certain work requirements, were increased from the age of 54 to 64. Additionally, exemptions were modified, now parents or other family members with responsibility for a dependent must be under 14 years old instead of under 18 years old.
The Department of Human Services reported that payments are already being processed into the electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards of those who didn’t receive their November deposits. About $100 million in benefits were sent to Pennsylvania’s SNAP vendor to cover the delay.
In Pennsylvania, approximately 2 million families, seniors, and children rely on SNAP benefits. More specifically, over 713,000 children and 697,000 older citizens. To assist the people, Shapiro directed $5 million in state funding to local food banks such as Feeding Pennsylvania to help support the people. He has also successfully set in motion the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund.
“Those SNAP benefits are rolling out today,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on Nov. 13. “I would expect really over these 24 hours for folks to see their SNAP cards fully loaded.”
DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh thanked the food banks and community groups for stepping in during the delay. “I again want to extend my deepest gratitude to our food banks, food pantries, and every Pennsylvanian who showed the true meaning of community through this crisis,” Arkoosh said. “I am relieved we can finally get these critical benefits out, and I urge those who are able to continue to support to our charitable food network as they stabilize and restock to continue their essential work. While the federal government has resumed operations, the effects of this shutdown will last.”
According to the press release from the state, “Gov. Shapiro joined 24 other states and Washington, D.C., in suing the Trump Administration for unlawfully suspending SNAP payments
and failing to use billions in Congressionally approved contingency funds available to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).”
From Wednesday, Nov. 12, officials have told news sources such as CBS News Philadelphia that about 80% of Pennsylvania SNAP recipients have not received the benefits this November.
Although the federal officials intended to reverse these payments from many other states, including Pennsylvania, the courts denied it. Shapiro states, “No Pennsylvanian should go hungry because of federal inaction and Congressional Republicans’ failure to pass a budget.”
Shapiro emphasizes that he will continue to work hard to stabilize the SNAP benefits. “Despite the daily chaos and confusion from the Trump Administration around SNAP, my Administration is working quickly to get payments moving,” Shapiro said, “Our work is not done here: we will continue doing everything we can to protect access to food for Pennsylvanians.”
If you or someone you know is in any kind of immediate need, go to pa-naviagate.org to find helpful resources. One can also call 211 to receive local help. Visit feedingpa.org to locate food assistance programs and local food banks.