Photo: Andrii Dodonov / iStock / Getty Images
A government shutdown is putting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for two million Pennsylvanians at risk. The shutdown began on October 1 after Congress failed to pass a spending bill. Without a resolution, November SNAP benefits will not be distributed, impacting many residents who rely on this federal aid for food.
Governor Josh Shapiro has urged Congress to pass a budget to restore funding for SNAP, which provides crucial food assistance to one in six residents in the state. According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the state cannot cover the $366 million monthly cost of SNAP without federal support.
The shutdown has already led to the cancellation of $6 million in emergency food shipments and $13 million in grants for local produce to food banks, according to GoErie.com. Lauren Duff from Feeding Pennsylvania stated that the situation is creating an urgent crisis for those struggling to access food.
Despite the shutdown, any unused SNAP funds from October will carry over into November. State officials encourage recipients to use resources like PA Navigate and local food banks for immediate assistance. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services continues to process SNAP applications and advises recipients to maintain updates to avoid future benefit interruptions.
The ongoing budget impasse in Congress stems from disagreements over health care funding, particularly the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies. Democrats demand the extension, while Republicans oppose including it in the budget.
Governor Shapiro and Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh have called on Congress to resolve the shutdown, emphasizing the severe consequences for Pennsylvania families. The federal government has historically funded SNAP since its inception in 1964, but the current shutdown poses unprecedented challenges to the program's continuity.