The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) says it can no longer issue SNAP benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, leaving thousands of Pennsylvanians without critical food assistance next month.
In a statement released Oct. 17, DHS said November SNAP payments cannot be made because Congress failed to pass a federal budget, forcing a government shutdown and freezing necessary funds.
“Starting October 16, SNAP benefits will not be paid until the federal government shutdown ends and funding is released to Pennsylvania,” the agency said. “We will notify SNAP recipients when payments can resume.”
DHS is urging recipients to remain patient and respectful toward agency staff, and to continue fulfilling program requirements during the shutdown — including reporting any changes to income, household composition or contact information. Recipients are also reminded that new federally mandated work, education or volunteer requirements take effect Nov. 1 and must still be reported.
Anyone in need of immediate food assistance is encouraged to call 211 or visit feedingpa.org or pa-navigate.org.
The impact of the shutdown is being felt nationwide. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warned last week that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, will run out of federal funding within weeks. It’s unclear whether the Trump administration will take emergency action to continue funding the program, as it has for other priorities during the shutdown.
Roughly 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, including about one in eight U.S. residents. More than a dozen states have already stopped accepting new SNAP applications due to the freeze in federal funds.
Officials have not provided a timeline for when SNAP payments might resume.