HARRISBURG, PA — The ongoing federal government shutdown will prevent the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for approximately two million Pennsylvanians in November, the state's Department of Human Services (DHS) announced.
A release on the DHS website states that, starting on October 16, the monthly SNAP payments are suspended until the federal budget impasse is resolved and funds are released to the Commonwealth.
The halt impacts the more than $366 million in monthly food assistance that families, seniors, and children across Pennsylvania rely on. State officials indicated they cannot use state funds to cover the federally-funded program's costs.
DHS officials stated they will notify all two million SNAP recipients when the government reopens and payments can resume. In the meantime, the department is directing anyone in need of immediate food assistance to call 211 or visit the Feeding Pennsylvania or PA Navigate websites.