Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an emergency declaration on Friday, flexing state funds to give $5 million to Pennsylvania food banks.
The money will cycle through the state’s Pennsylvania Agriculture Surplus System (PASS), which allows food banks to purchase food from farmers and vendors in the state.
Shapiro has also started a SNAP Emergency Relief Fund fundraiser, which has raised $1 million at the time of announcement. The fund funnels private entities to donate directly to food banks.
Around one in six Pennsylvanians— 2 million people— are enrolled in SNAP benefits. The state receives around $366 million from the federal government each month to cover enrollees. With the federal government shutdown ongoing, the Trump administration has said for the past week that no SNAP benefits would be sent out for November.
Shapiro joined a multi-state lawsuit on Wednesday demanding the Trump administration use a contingency reserve funds to continue benefits. Today, two judges ruled in favor of the states, mandating the federal government to send out benefits even if emergency funds don’t cover the full expense of the program.
The governor told reporters today the $5 million for food banks is still critical because it can take time for federal funds to get released. Shapiro also worries that the Trump administration might appeal the ruling, which could delay benefits even further.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services says that under normal circumstances, SNAP benefits are distributed to Pennsylvanians over the course of 10 business days. The first batch of November’s payments would have been sent out on November 3. This schedule is consistent month to month.
IF the administration does not appeal Friday’s ruling, benefits could be sent out close to the normal timeline (ex; if someone normally receives SNAP benefits on the 6th business day of the month [Nov 10 for this month], they could receive benefits on or around Nov 10).
If benefits are sent out, but they are partial, that could delay the state’s human services in sending payments as it takes time to administratively adjust (the person who would normally get them on Nov. 10 could get them on Nov 17).
If the Trump administration appeals, benefits would be delayed until the next court ruling.
Democratic lawmakers advocated earlier this week to give $62 million to food banks and Meals on Wheels. Their proposal would have needed votes from Republican lawmakers— who said the entire SNAP benefit issue could be resolved if Congress ends the federal shutdown.
Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity brought another SNAP solution this week— saying she could give a $366 million loan to Pennsylvania’s Human Services, to ensure no disruption to benefits.
However, some language on the USDA website says that state’s who spend money on benefits will not be reimbursed. Shapiro turned down Garrity’s loan, saying the state could not afford to spend over $300 million with no federal backpay.
Pennsylvania’s own state budget impasse has complicated matters, as there are no significant state funds to flex because no state budget has been approved.