Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to make ‘major announcement’ on SNAP benefits
Updated: 2:29 PM EST Nov 7, 2025
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is set to make a “major announcement” on the availability of SNAP benefits for Pennsylvanians.Shapiro will be joined by Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh.You can watch the announcement live in the video player above. It is set to begin at 2:45 p.m.Thursday’s visit in Pittston to address emergency fundsShapiro visited Luzerne County on Thursday to address state efforts to enhance SNAP emergency relief funds amid ongoing uncertainty.Shapiro spoke to the media at the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank in Pittston to discuss the state’s efforts to boost the SNAP emergency relief fund and support those in need during the SNAP uncertainty.”Here in Pennsylvania, I want you to understand the need. Two million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP. Our entire population in the commonwealth is 13 million. That means one in eight of our neighbors relies on SNAP,” Shapiro said.Shapiro said that number includes 714,000 children.Last week, the governor signed a disaster declaration that made $5 million in state money immediately available to food banks.SNAP by the numbersThese county-by-county statistics are from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSdtb2R1bGUnIHNyYz0naHR0cHM6Ly90YWJsZWF1LnBhLmdvdi9qYXZhc2NyaXB0cy9hcGkvdGFibGVhdS5lbWJlZGRpbmcuMy5sYXRlc3QubWluLmpzJz48L3NjcmlwdD48dGFibGVhdS12aXogaWQ9J3RhYmxlYXUtdml6JyBzcmM9J2h0dHBzOi8vdGFibGVhdS5wYS5nb3YvdC9ESFMtUHVibGljL3ZpZXdzL01BX1NOQVAvU05BUEhlYXRNYXAnIHdpZHRoPSc4NTAnIGhlaWdodD0nODc3JyBoaWRlLXRhYnMgdG9vbGJhcj0nYm90dG9tJyBkZXZpY2U9J2RlZmF1bHQnID48L3RhYmxlYXUtdml6Pg==Allegheny County: 160,398 people, 12.88% of the populationArmstrong County: 10,294 people, 16% of the populationBeaver County: 24,442 people, 15% of the populationButler County: 15,457 people, 8% of the populationClarion County: 5,200 people, 14% of the populationFayette County: 29,428 people, 23% of the populationGreene County: 6,805 people, 19% of the populationIndiana County: 11,825 people, 14% of the populationJefferson County: 6,516 people, 15% of the populationLawrence County: 16,299 people, 19% of the populationMercer County: 19,140 people, 17% of the populationVenango County: 9,405 people, 19% of the populationWashington County: 27,621 people, 13% of the populationWestmoreland County: 45,465 people, 13% of the populationNearly 2 million people across the commonwealth get SNAP.
PHILADELPHIA —
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is set to make a “major announcement” on the availability of SNAP benefits for Pennsylvanians.
Shapiro will be joined by Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh.
You can watch the announcement live in the video player above. It is set to begin at 2:45 p.m.
Thursday’s visit in Pittston to address emergency funds
Shapiro visited Luzerne County on Thursday to address state efforts to enhance SNAP emergency relief funds amid ongoing uncertainty.
Shapiro spoke to the media at the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank in Pittston to discuss the state’s efforts to boost the SNAP emergency relief fund and support those in need during the SNAP uncertainty.
“Here in Pennsylvania, I want you to understand the need. Two million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP. Our entire population in the commonwealth is 13 million. That means one in eight of our neighbors relies on SNAP,” Shapiro said.
Shapiro said that number includes 714,000 children.
Last week, the governor signed a disaster declaration that made $5 million in state money immediately available to food banks.
SNAP by the numbers
These county-by-county statistics are from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
Allegheny County: 160,398 people, 12.88% of the populationArmstrong County: 10,294 people, 16% of the populationBeaver County: 24,442 people, 15% of the populationButler County: 15,457 people, 8% of the populationClarion County: 5,200 people, 14% of the populationFayette County: 29,428 people, 23% of the populationGreene County: 6,805 people, 19% of the populationIndiana County: 11,825 people, 14% of the populationJefferson County: 6,516 people, 15% of the populationLawrence County: 16,299 people, 19% of the populationMercer County: 19,140 people, 17% of the populationVenango County: 9,405 people, 19% of the populationWashington County: 27,621 people, 13% of the populationWestmoreland County: 45,465 people, 13% of the population
Nearly 2 million people across the commonwealth get SNAP.