The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed this morning what Pennsylvanians have feared since the federal government shutdown began.
No SNAP benefits will be paid beginning November 1.
In an announcement on its websiteThe USDA posted: “Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to unfund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In summary, the well has run dehydrated. At this time, there will be no benefits issued on November 1. We are approaching a tipping point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to pursue illegal alien health care and procedures gender mutilation or reopen the government so that mothers, children and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutritional assistance.”
A federal program that provides low-income families with monthly benefits for well food will not be available to more than two million Pennsylvanians and 42 million Americans.
Nationwide, more than 62 percent of SNAP participants are families with children; 37 percent belong to families whose members are elderly or disabled; and more than 38 percent belong to working families, according to a nonpartisan analysis Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. According to the data, among SNAP recipients in Pennsylvania, 58 percent are families with children, 44 percent are families with elderly or disabled adults and 43 percent are working families.
SNAP benefits were made available to eligible individuals in October, but to the Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins chose not to pursue a contingency plan to commit about $5 billion in SNAP emergency funds to deliver benefits in November. That amount would not cover the $9 billion that would be needed to fund November benefits. Even partial utilize of these funds would require weeks to distribute, meaning most low-income Americans would still lose November food benefits.
Note from the USDA presented the effects of suspending government activities.
“Unlike other reimbursable programs, SNAP allocations are fully federally funded. States are responsible for setting benefits to households and the flow of dollars to processors and ultimately to retailers. Current law provides no provisions or allowances that would allow states to cover the cost of benefits and obtain reimbursement.”
Pennsylvania announced it couldn’t cover the cost of the payments without federal support. Since its inception in 1964, the federal government has fully funded SNAP, contributing more than $366 million each month to the Keystone State.
“The failure of Republicans to pass a federal budget in Washington has a direct impact on our Commonwealth, and the current federal shutdown threatens critical food assistance for two million Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families,” it said. Governor Josh Shapiro. “In July, Republicans in Congress voted to eliminate 310,000 Pennsylvanians from Medicaid and 144,000 from SNAP, all to provide tax cuts to people who don’t need them. 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 lockdown.”
“The lack of action by Republicans in Congress not only threatens access to health care for Pennsylvanians who use tax credits to purchase health insurance – it is now disrupting life-sustaining food assistance and other critical programs and further jeopardizing the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians who rely on these programs and services,” she said. Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “I am calling on Republicans in Congress to recognize the serious consequences impacting local economies, small businesses, and the health and safety of Pennsylvanians and across the country. A shutdown of this situation threatens access to health insurance and disrupts these critical services, which is why I am calling on our leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to work together for a solution that protects those most at risk.” risk.”
Pennsylvanians needing support can utilize PA Navigate pa-navigate.org/ to support find food and other resources. Local support is also available by calling 211 or visiting www.pa211.org. Pennsylvania residents can also visit www.feedingpa.org find local food banks and other food assistance programs.
