The federal government shutdown is causing concern in Pennsylvania as halted SNAP payments impact low-income residents’ ability to afford food.The Shapiro administration issued a warning last week, citing the ongoing federal shutdown as the reason for why November 2025 SNAP benefits had been halted. The administration estimated some two million Pennsylvanians would be affected.”Republicans’ failure to pass a federal budget in Washington, D.C. is having a direct impact on our Commonwealth and now, this federal shutdown is threatening critical food assistance for two million Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families,” said Governor Josh Shapiro on Monday. “In July, Republicans in Congress voted to knock 310,000 Pennsylvanians off Medicaid and 144,000 off SNAP, all in order to give a tax cut for people who don’t need it. Now, Republicans are once again threatening vital support for Pennsylvania families and children – it’s time for them to pass a federal budget and end this shutdown.” Nonprofits that assist those struggling to afford food express worry that more people may require their services.Officials at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank said if November SNAP benefits are not loaded onto EBT cards soon, their partners with food banks and pantries will face increased strain due to heightened demand, especially at a time when these organizations are not receiving federal or state funding. “It’s our littlest, our infants, to our elderly, it’s everyone who suffers from food insecurity or not knowing where their next meal is coming from. So, it’s a challenge,” said the food bank’s president, Shila Ulrich.State website message irks PA GOPThe Shapiro administration’s blaming of Congressional Republicans drew a rebuke from the Pennsylvania GOP, which said messages posted to the state’s SNAP website went too far.The message read: “Because Republicans in Washington D.C., failed to pass a federal budget, causing the federal government shutdown, November 2025 SNAP benefits cannot be paid. Starting October 16, SNAP benefits will not be paid until the federal government shutdown ends and funds are released to PA. We will notify SNAP recipients when payments can resume, and we will let you know when to expect SNAP payments.”In a message posted to social media platform X, the Pennsylvania GOP wrote that taxpayer-funded agencies shouldn’t be posting political messages.”Shady Josh Shapiro’s administration owes Pennsylvanians an apology, and a correction. Public service isn’t a political weapon and using a government website to fuel your partisan agenda is indefensible,” the post read.A spokesperson for Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services defended the description of the situation.”We are simply pointing out the fact that Republicans control the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House, and the White House and have failed to pass a federal budget, leading to this federal shutdown,” said DHS spokesman Brandon Cwalina. “As a result of the shutdown, the USDA has stated there is not enough available funding for November SNAP benefits without further action from the federal government.”

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

The federal government shutdown is causing concern in Pennsylvania as halted SNAP payments impact low-income residents’ ability to afford food.

The Shapiro administration issued a warning last week, citing the ongoing federal shutdown as the reason for why November 2025 SNAP benefits had been halted. The administration estimated some two million Pennsylvanians would be affected.

“Republicans’ failure to pass a federal budget in Washington, D.C. is having a direct impact on our Commonwealth and now, this federal shutdown is threatening critical food assistance for two million Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families,” said Governor Josh Shapiro on Monday.

“In July, Republicans in Congress voted to knock 310,000 Pennsylvanians off Medicaid and 144,000 off SNAP, all in order to give a tax cut for people who don’t need it. Now, Republicans are once again threatening vital support for Pennsylvania families and children – it’s time for them to pass a federal budget and end this shutdown.”

Nonprofits that assist those struggling to afford food express worry that more people may require their services.

Officials at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank said if November SNAP benefits are not loaded onto EBT cards soon, their partners with food banks and pantries will face increased strain due to heightened demand, especially at a time when these organizations are not receiving federal or state funding.

“It’s our littlest, our infants, to our elderly, it’s everyone who suffers from food insecurity or not knowing where their next meal is coming from. So, it’s a challenge,” said the food bank’s president, Shila Ulrich.

State website message irks PA GOP

The Shapiro administration’s blaming of Congressional Republicans drew a rebuke from the Pennsylvania GOP, which said messages posted to the state’s SNAP website went too far.

The message read: “Because Republicans in Washington D.C., failed to pass a federal budget, causing the federal government shutdown, November 2025 SNAP benefits cannot be paid. Starting October 16, SNAP benefits will not be paid until the federal government shutdown ends and funds are released to PA. We will notify SNAP recipients when payments can resume, and we will let you know when to expect SNAP payments.”

In a message posted to social media platform X, the Pennsylvania GOP wrote that taxpayer-funded agencies shouldn’t be posting political messages.

“Shady Josh Shapiro’s administration owes Pennsylvanians an apology, and a correction. Public service isn’t a political weapon and using a government website to fuel your partisan agenda is indefensible,” the post read.

A spokesperson for Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services defended the description of the situation.

“We are simply pointing out the fact that Republicans control the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House, and the White House and have failed to pass a federal budget, leading to this federal shutdown,” said DHS spokesman Brandon Cwalina.

“As a result of the shutdown, the USDA has stated there is not enough available funding for November SNAP benefits without further action from the federal government.”