Gov. Shapiro signs disaster declaration over SNAP funding
Yeah Thank you everybody. Good afternoon, and I want to say thank you to Laurie, not just for the kind words, most importantly, I want to thank you for your strong and steady leadership. I think you and I have known each other about 2 decades, and whether in government or working outside and alongside your partners in government, you always make *** difference, and I’m grateful to you, and I’m especially grateful to your board that you recognize, but all those amazing workers and volunteers from Phil abundance. Thank you guys. I know how hard you work and we’re really grateful to you. For over 40 years, Phil Abundance has worked to feed families in need, distributing more than 39 million meals every single year. I think that is critical work. I think that that is beautiful work and that work is happening sadly at *** time where hunger and food insecurity is on the rise. I know that many people served by full abundance also rely. On food assistance support from SNAPP from the federal government here in Pennsylvania, I want you to understand this 2 million of our fellow Pennsylvanians receive SNAP benefits. Let me put that in some perspective for you. I see you shaking your head back and forth like that. 2 million people receive SNAP benefits here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our entire population in Pennsylvania is 13 million people. Roughly 1 in 8 of our neighbors here in our Commonwealth rely on SNAP, and since SNAP was created back in 1964, it has always been funded 100% by the federal government, but right. Now because of the federal shutdown, 2 million of our neighbors here in Pennsylvania are about to lose their food assistance for the first time in the history of our nation. They have never had their benefits paused before until right now. This is all because the Trump administration has decided that it will not be issuing SNAP benefits for the month of November, which of course begins tomorrow. They made this determination even though they are sitting on billions of dollars of congressionally appropriated contingency funds. I want you to know that earlier this week I sued the Trump administration demanding that they release that contingency funding to keep our SNAP benefits flowing in the economy. I want to take *** moment and thank Mike Fisher and Jacob Boyer from my team who joined me here, the lead lawyers in this case, and I want to provide you with an update that just occurred *** few moments ago. The judge in our case ruled that the Trump administration must turn the spigot on and must release these snap dollars. That’s important. And importantly, That And that is why we stood up and took on this fight and filed that suit. Now there’s two problems that we are concerned about. Number one, it’s going to take about 10 days for them to be able to get those dollars flowing to SNAP recipients again. And number 2, given this administration and its propensity to ignore the rule of law, I don’t trust that they’re going to follow this judge’s ruling. I sure hope the Trump administration does not appeal and instead adheres to the rule of law and follows this judge’s ruling. It is really important that we get these dollars flowing again. The sources of funds that have been held up to Pennsylvanians are number one, the SNAP benefits, and number 2 LFPA funds that go to fulfill *** righteous cycle here in this Commonwealth, *** $13 million earmark from the federal government that goes to Pennsylvania farmers who produce foods that end up in places like Phil abundance. The Trump administration has stopped both of those funds, and I’ve sued over both to get it flowing again. I know we are here to talk about the 2 million Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP, our neighbors who are going to go hungry because the federal government isn’t fulfilling its obligation to its citizens. But let’s not ignore the fact that there are numerous Pennsylvania farmers who are going to be hurt by the decision to not have SNAP funding go forward. Remember, these are farmers who rely on the market share of funding *** place like Phil abundance or SHARE or many of the others who do this righteous work. So not only is President Trump harming people who are hungry, he is harming Pennsylvania farmers, and that’s on top of what he’s already done to them with his ill-advised tariffs. I think right now we should be doing everything we can to feed Pennsylvanians and not making excuses as to why it can’t happen. Unfortunately, the Trump administration has told all states in writing that should we choose to use state dollars to put money on people’s snap cards that we would not be reimbursed for that funding. I’m really honored to be joined by so many wonderful lawmakers who are here today who have been sounding the alarm with their concerns about SNAP who have reached out to me and said, God, we got to do something about this. These are wonderful people representing your communities. We can’t ask them to go and try and appropriate funds that we won’t get reimbursed for when this is *** 100% federally funded. Initiative. I’m so grateful to all of you for your passion and concern, but let’s be real, the Trump administration is putting us in *** very, very dangerous place. They’re both withholding the funds and telling us don’t go spending money on people who are hungry. Don’t go investing in our farmers because we’re not going to reimburse you. I think that is wrong. I think that is cold hearted. And listen here in Pennsylvania though, I think we need to lead by example, and the example we set is to love thy neighbor. The example we set is from *** famous Pennsylvanian, albeit on the other side of the state, that when there’s *** challenge, Mr. Rogers told us to look for the helpers. Phil abundance, you guys are the helpers. These lawmakers are helpers. Everyone here who cares deeply about their neighbors and helping them get the food. that they need. You are the helpers. That is why I’m joining with those helpers and just *** few hours ago in my office in Harrisburg, I signed *** disaster declaration which will allow us to meet the needs of hungry Pennsylvanians who are facing *** food crisis brought about by the federal government’s unwillingness to feed people. As *** result of my disaster declaration that I signed, our administration will now immediately drive out $5 million in state funding to food banks like Phil abundance that will allow them to purchase more healthy food from local sources, including Pennsylvania farmers to provide food assistance to the millions. Pennsylvanians who are in need, this funding is going to be distributed similar to how funding goes out through the Pennsylvania agriculture surplus system known as PAS. That’s an existing initiative under the Department of Agriculture led by Secretary Russell Redding that has already driven out $35.5 million of state funds through the program. To 13 food banks across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that serve each of our 67 counties, and I again need to thank these state lawmakers who are here who consistently voted in favor of my budgets that include this funding and in the budget that we are getting done now, it’s going to include additional funding for this initiative, and I want to thank them for their work. Through this initiative, the Commonwealth will be able to drive out funding to feeding Pennsylvania, which then distributes the money to our food banks, including Phil abundance, who can then use those dollars to purchase fresh food from farmers and food vendors. When I signed this declaration earlier that Also allows us to cut through the red tape and get funds to food banks as quickly as possible. The dollars that I’ve released today will be in our food banks, allowing them to purchase more food for this coming week. There is no delay. We are getting stuff done here. The declaration I signed also provides me as governor with more authority and more tools to address this crisis. Let me be clear, Pennsylvania cannot possibly fill the gap left by losing $366 million *** month, which is the amount of money. That goes on individual snap cards each month here in Pennsylvania and remember the feds will not reimburse us if we seek to put dollars on that card. So we are instead relying on our food banks, turning to them to make sure that those who are hungry, those who are in need, get the help that they need. In addition to the work we’re doing at the state level over the last 24 hours, I have worked closely with the private sector and ask Pennsylvanians who are fortunate. As Pennsylvanians who have done well to step up and help their neighbors in this. Time of need, and I wanted to announce today that as *** result of my calls to those leaders in the private sector we have raised an initial initial $1 million that will go on top of the state funds that we are releasing. Those individuals have donated to our SNAP emergency release fund. Some of them wanted to be identified or were willing to be identified and some wanted to do it anonymously. I wanted to take *** moment to thank Thomas Tull. I want to take *** moment to thank Connie Williams. I want to take *** moment to thank Mark Cuban. I want to take *** moment to thank David Edelman. Each of these individuals have stepped up in the initial hours of our campaign to help feed Pennsylvanians on top of the private or public dollars that we are releasing. Every single dollar that is raised into the SNAP Emergency release fund relief fund will go directly to feeding Pennsylvania and their network of food banks. Those dollars will not flow through the state. They’ll go directly into feeding Pennsylvania. I want to just say to those Pennsylvanians again how grateful I am. That they are stepping up and I want to invite others who are fortunate in this time of need to step up and help as well. Pennsylvania is *** wonderful place where people look out for one another. They lift one another up and in moments of darkness this Commonwealth can always find some light. And so I want to thank those who have already agreed to step up and urge others. To do the same. I think making sure our neighbors have enough to eat, it’s one of the most basic foundational things that we can do. Our food banks do an amazing job of that with an assist from our wonderful farmers to help people who are in need, people who are hungry. It really is *** righteous cycle. And I want to include, I want to invite anyone who is fortunate enough in their lives to contribute to the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund. And if you can’t contribute to the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund, come to *** shift here at Phil Abundance. Go over to share, go to Jerry, go wherever you can to make *** difference, volunteer your time. And help your neighbors who are in need. That’s something my family and I have done for many years, and I must tell you it’s *** beautiful thing to not only pack those boxes, but then take those boxes to the people who need it most and see the smile on their face, the relief on their face, knowing that their neighbors were there to help them. In the midst of all of this, I want our fellow Pennsylvanians to just remember who we’re talking about here. 1 out of every 8 people who walk down the streets in our commonwealth rely on SNAP. We’re talking about that that single mom who’s working long hours who’s doing all the right things but struggling to pay the bills and just needs *** little bit of extra help. That grandmom here. In South Philly who can’t work, who’s got *** disability but needs to needs *** little bit more help to be able to cover the groceries for her or maybe for one of her grandchildren. These are real people and we can’t lose sight of that with all the bickering and the fighting and chaos in DC. We have to remember these are real people who need help and that’s why Pennsylvania is standing up. To do this now. I know folks are worried and I know that what we’re doing here is important, but I can’t possibly meet the full gap that exists. We’re going to keep doing everything we can to pump more money into these food banks and help people in their time of need, and I just want to invite all of our fellow Pennsylvanians to do the same to help us here. And if you are someone who is in need. If you’re wondering where you turn tomorrow when you don’t get your Snap help, I want you to dial 211 or I want you to go to PA 211.org and you can find *** food bank in your area that’s going to be receiving this extra help, and they’ll have what you need to help you stay on your feet. Most importantly, to my fellow Pennsylvanians, I want you to know I got your back and we’re here for you. Thank you. With that, it, it really is my pleasure now to bring up Robin Perkins. She is, uh, only *** SNAP recipient but *** participant in Phil abundance’s community kitchen program, um, *** wonderful person who, who just has like *** warmth to her that I picked up on immediately, uh, when we got the chance to meet *** few moments ago. I want you to hear from Robin. I want you to understand the impact these snap cuts are having. Ladies and gentlemen, please meet Robin Perkins.
Gov. Shapiro signs disaster declaration over SNAP funding
Updated: 3:58 PM EDT Oct 31, 2025
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed a disaster declaration over SNAP funding, which is in danger of being cut off on Saturday due to the federal government shutdown.What the declaration doesThe declaration makes $5 million in state money immediately available to food banks.Shapiro made the announcement at a Friday afternoon news conference in Philadelphia. You can watch his complete remarks in the video player above.”Nearly two million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP every month — and they shouldn’t have to wonder where their next meal will come from because of the dysfunction in Washington,” Shapiro said. “There is no substitute for the federal government’s decision not to release SNAP benefits, but my Administration is stepping up to use every tool we have — state resources, private sector support, and the compassion of our communities — to make sure our food banks are fully stocked and our families are fed. The federal government has the money to keep people fed — they’re just refusing to use it. In Pennsylvania, I won’t let our families or food banks shoulder that burden alone, and I’m not going to stand by while the federal government lets Pennsylvanians go hungry.”Shapiro has also turned to the private sector for donations, saying more than $1 million has been raised through the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund.Judges order admin to use contingency funds Two federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must to continue to fund SNAP.Shapiro said even with the decision, it will take about ten days to get those fund flowing again, Shapiro also said he hopes the Trump administration does not appeal the decision.Multi-state lawsuitThe Shapiro administration joined 24 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump Administration for what is said was “unlawfully suspending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments and refusing to use billions in Congressionally-approved contingency funds to continue SNAP during the shutdown.”Around 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits.SNAP benefits in Pa. | By the numbersNearly 2 million people in Pennsylvania, about 14 percent of the population, receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP.WGAL broke down the number of SNAP recipients in Pennsylvania county-by-county. Tap on or hover over the interactive map below to see which counties have the highest percentages of SNAP recipients as well as the total number of recipients.County-by-county SNAP percentages:Philadelphia: 30.2%Fayette: 24.3%Cameron: 21.8%Erie: 20.7%Luzerne: 20.3%Greene: 20.2%Lawrence: 19.7%Cambria: 19.3%Blair: 19.1%Lackawanna: 18.8%McKean: 18.8%Northumberland: 18.6%Venango: 18.5%Dauphin: 17.8%Mercer: 17.4%Clearfield: 16.8%Schuylkill: 16.5%Crawford: 16.3%Armstrong: 16.2%Mifflin: 16.0%Lycoming: 15.5%Warren: 15.4%Lehigh: 15.2%Clinton: 14.9%Potter: 14.9%Tioga: 14.9%Beaver: 14.8%Somerset: 14.8%Jefferson: 14.7%Bedford: 14.4%Bradford: 14.4%Clarion: 14.4%Indiana: 14.4%Wyoming: 14.3%Berks: 13.8%Fulton: 13.8%Monroe: 13.7%Columbia: 13.6%Allegheny: 13.1%Delaware: 13.3%Huntingdon: 13.3%Carbon: 13.9%Elk: 12.4%Wayne: 12.3%Lebanon: 12.2%Washington: 12.9%Westmoreland: 12.7%Susquehanna: 12.6%Northampton: 10.3%Juniata: 10.8%Pike: 11.1%York: 11.7%Franklin: 11.5%Perry: 10.0%Sullivan: 10.1%Forest: 9.8%Lancaster: 9.6%Montour: 8.9%Snyder: 8.9%Cumberland: 8.6%Union: 8.0%Butler: 7.7%Adams: 7.4%Montgomery: 6.8%Bucks: 6.3%Chester: 5.2%Centre: 5.2%Statewide breakdownAcross the Keystone State, 1,901,632 people currently receive SNAP benefits, according to AmericanProgress.org.That adds up to 14.6% of the total population.About SNAPSNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, used to be known as the Food Stamp Program.SNAP is administered through the United States Department of Agriculture. It provides benefits and access to food through an electronic card, which functions like an ATM card.People in low-income households who are getting benefits can use the card to buy food at authorized retail food stores.SNAP in PennsylvaniaPeople in eligible low-income households can obtain more nutritious diets with SNAP, increasing their food purchasing power at grocery stores and supermarkets.The below information is provided by the Department of Human Services.Maximum benefit amountsOne person: $292Two people: $536Three people: $768Four people: $975Five people: $1,158Six people: $1,390Seven people: $1,536Eight people: $1,756Nine people: $1,976Ten people: $2,196Each additional person: Add $220Income limitsTo get SNAP benefits, your income has to be under certain limits.There are a few factors that contribute to SNAP allowances and income limits in Pennsylvania, including household size, monthly income and if a member of your household is 60 years old or older or has a disability.SNAP households may receive deductions from their gross income for things like housing costs, child or dependent care payments, and medical expenses of more than $35 for older adults or people with disabilities.The best way to determine if your household will qualify for SNAP is to apply.One person: $2,510Two people: $3,408Three people: $4,304Four people: $5,200Five people: $6,098Six people: $6,994Seven people: $7,890Eight people: $8,788Nine people: $9,68610 people: $10,584Each additional member: +$898Go here to learn more about eligibility requirements for SNAP.College students may also qualify for SNAP benefits. Find out more here.How do SNAP benefits work?SNAP benefits are placed in an electronic account that only the recipient can use. The eligible household receives a Pennsylvania electronic benefits transfer ACCESS card, which allows withdrawals for food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets. The eligible household can only spend the amount that’s in the account. This is not a credit card.
PHILADELPHIA —
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed a disaster declaration over SNAP funding, which is in danger of being cut off on Saturday due to the federal government shutdown.
What the declaration does
The declaration makes $5 million in state money immediately available to food banks.
Shapiro made the announcement at a Friday afternoon news conference in Philadelphia. You can watch his complete remarks in the video player above.
“Nearly two million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP every month — and they shouldn’t have to wonder where their next meal will come from because of the dysfunction in Washington,” Shapiro said. “There is no substitute for the federal government’s decision not to release SNAP benefits, but my Administration is stepping up to use every tool we have — state resources, private sector support, and the compassion of our communities — to make sure our food banks are fully stocked and our families are fed. The federal government has the money to keep people fed — they’re just refusing to use it. In Pennsylvania, I won’t let our families or food banks shoulder that burden alone, and I’m not going to stand by while the federal government lets Pennsylvanians go hungry.”
Shapiro has also turned to the private sector for donations, saying more than $1 million has been raised through the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund.
Judges order admin to use contingency funds
Two federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must to continue to fund SNAP.
Shapiro said even with the decision, it will take about ten days to get those fund flowing again, Shapiro also said he hopes the Trump administration does not appeal the decision.
Multi-state lawsuit
The Shapiro administration joined 24 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump Administration for what is said was “unlawfully suspending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments and refusing to use billions in Congressionally-approved contingency funds to continue SNAP during the shutdown.”
Around 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits.
SNAP benefits in Pa. | By the numbers
Nearly 2 million people in Pennsylvania, about 14 percent of the population, receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP.
WGAL broke down the number of SNAP recipients in Pennsylvania county-by-county. Tap on or hover over the interactive map below to see which counties have the highest percentages of SNAP recipients as well as the total number of recipients.
County-by-county SNAP percentages:
Philadelphia: 30.2%Fayette: 24.3%Cameron: 21.8%Erie: 20.7%Luzerne: 20.3%Greene: 20.2%Lawrence: 19.7%Cambria: 19.3%Blair: 19.1%Lackawanna: 18.8%McKean: 18.8%Northumberland: 18.6%Venango: 18.5%Dauphin: 17.8%Mercer: 17.4%Clearfield: 16.8%Schuylkill: 16.5%Crawford: 16.3%Armstrong: 16.2%Mifflin: 16.0%Lycoming: 15.5%Warren: 15.4%Lehigh: 15.2%Clinton: 14.9%Potter: 14.9%Tioga: 14.9%Beaver: 14.8%Somerset: 14.8%Jefferson: 14.7%Bedford: 14.4%Bradford: 14.4%Clarion: 14.4%Indiana: 14.4%Wyoming: 14.3%Berks: 13.8%Fulton: 13.8%Monroe: 13.7%Columbia: 13.6%Allegheny: 13.1%Delaware: 13.3%Huntingdon: 13.3%Carbon: 13.9%Elk: 12.4%Wayne: 12.3%Lebanon: 12.2%Washington: 12.9%Westmoreland: 12.7%Susquehanna: 12.6%Northampton: 10.3%Juniata: 10.8%Pike: 11.1%York: 11.7%Franklin: 11.5%Perry: 10.0%Sullivan: 10.1%Forest: 9.8%Lancaster: 9.6%Montour: 8.9%Snyder: 8.9%Cumberland: 8.6%Union: 8.0%Butler: 7.7%Adams: 7.4%Montgomery: 6.8%Bucks: 6.3%Chester: 5.2%Centre: 5.2%Statewide breakdown
Across the Keystone State, 1,901,632 people currently receive SNAP benefits, according to AmericanProgress.org.
That adds up to 14.6% of the total population.
About SNAP
SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, used to be known as the Food Stamp Program.
SNAP is administered through the United States Department of Agriculture. It provides benefits and access to food through an electronic card, which functions like an ATM card.
People in low-income households who are getting benefits can use the card to buy food at authorized retail food stores.
SNAP in Pennsylvania
People in eligible low-income households can obtain more nutritious diets with SNAP, increasing their food purchasing power at grocery stores and supermarkets.
The below information is provided by the Department of Human Services.
Maximum benefit amountsOne person: $292Two people: $536Three people: $768Four people: $975Five people: $1,158Six people: $1,390Seven people: $1,536Eight people: $1,756Nine people: $1,976Ten people: $2,196Each additional person: Add $220Income limits
To get SNAP benefits, your income has to be under certain limits.
There are a few factors that contribute to SNAP allowances and income limits in Pennsylvania, including household size, monthly income and if a member of your household is 60 years old or older or has a disability.
SNAP households may receive deductions from their gross income for things like housing costs, child or dependent care payments, and medical expenses of more than $35 for older adults or people with disabilities.
The best way to determine if your household will qualify for SNAP is to apply.
One person: $2,510
Two people: $3,408
Three people: $4,304
Four people: $5,200
Five people: $6,098Six people: $6,994Seven people: $7,890
Eight people: $8,788Nine people: $9,68610 people: $10,584
Each additional member: +$898
Go here to learn more about eligibility requirements for SNAP.
College students may also qualify for SNAP benefits. Find out more here.
How do SNAP benefits work?
SNAP benefits are placed in an electronic account that only the recipient can use. The eligible household receives a Pennsylvania electronic benefits transfer ACCESS card, which allows withdrawals for food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets. The eligible household can only spend the amount that’s in the account. This is not a credit card.