Due to the ongoing federal shutdown, the federal government will halt SNAP payments to nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians beginning November 1, 2025. Approximately 713,000 children and 697,000 older adults depend on SNAP to help them purchase their groceries every month.
The monthly cost of  SNAP payments is estimated to be $366 million which has been entirely federally funded.  To the extent that we can, the General Assembly needs to ensure that families, children, veterans, and older adults have access the food they need immediately.  This legislation requires the State Treasurer to provide funds to the Department of Human Services (DHS) during the federal budget impasse for the purpose of continuing SNAP payments.  With these funds, DHS can continue to provide the monthly SNAP payments that families depend on each month to help purchase groceries.