Stakeholders, nonprofit leaders and community organizations representing networks serving thousands of SNAP families and individuals in southeastern Pennsylvania attend a community briefing introducing the modern SNAP work requirements hosted by Senator Tim Kearney and Representative Gina H. Curry on October 14.
Delaware County, Pennsylvania – October 16, 2025 – State Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware) i State Representative Gina H. Curry (Delaware) held a press conference and community briefing on Tuesday at the Upper Darby campus of Delaware County Community College to shed featherlight on newly implemented SNAP work requirements that put tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians at risk of losing indispensable food assistance.
Senator Kearney AND Rep. Curry they joined Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), State Senator Arthur Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and more than 30 stakeholders, nonprofit and community organization leaders representing networks serving thousands of SNAP families and individuals in Delaware County and southeastern Pennsylvania.
The modern federal regulations, passed under the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Act,” require many SNAP recipients ages 18-54 (excluding minor children ages 14 and under) to work, volunteer, or enroll in training for 20 hours per week (or 80 hours per month) and submit to a DHS audit. If they do not meet the requirements or do not submit the appropriate documentation, they will be subject to a three-month limit on SNAP benefits over a 36-month period.
“Here in Delaware County, over 76,000 of my constituents rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families, said Senator Kearney. “Even after these unnecessary and burdensome changes go into effect, my colleagues and I want to make sure our constituents understand the new rules so they don’t lose access to the crucial support they depend on.”
During the press conference Christina McIntire, A SNAP recipient from Delaware County and a local food pantry volunteer explained that the more stringent requirements are already causing fear and confusion, making it harder for her and the neighbors she serves to maintain stable access to food.
“The truth is that we are facing a crisis that has exceeded the level of a pandemic and is unfolding before our eyes,” he added. he said Rep. Curry. “Families in the 164th District and across Pennsylvania are struggling to afford food, housing and basic necessities. By cutting programs like SNAP, WIC and food stamps for seniors, we cut into the heart of our communities. These cuts not only hurt the hungry; they take a toll on our economy, hurting local grocers, food distributors and Pennsylvania farmers who they depend on them. When we cut SNAP, we choke our local economies. This is unacceptable. We have a moral obligation to protect and strengthen the programs that hold our communities together. This is about dignity. This is about health. And this is about justice.”
Pennsylvania officials estimate that nearly 144,000 SNAP recipients statewide could lose benefits under the modern rules. In Congresswoman Scanlon’s district, more than 8,000 residents are expected to lose access to SNAP.
“By gutting Medicaid and SNAP to provide their billionaire donors with massive tax cuts, the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are creating a hunger and health care crisis in our country,” he added. said Mr Scanlon. “Let us be clear that cuts to SNAP and Medicaid are a result paperwork requirements – bureaucratic red tape that makes it difficult for millions of eligible Americans to get the help they need to feed their families and keep them healthy. This is an exercise in cruelty that will harm our most vulnerable neighbors, including seniors, veterans, teenagers leaving foster care and, most of all, America’s children. It will leave our communities weaker and hungrier, and it should be universally condemned.”
Senator Haywood, whose office actively held several briefings to highlight these changes, echoed Congresswoman Scanlon’s sentiments. “These new SNAP rules are nothing more than red tape designed to keep people out of work and access to food.” said Senator Haywood. “No one should have to lose groceries because of paperwork. We are doing everything we can to inform neighbors about these changes and empower community leaders to help families maintain access to the food they deserve.”
Hoa PhamAssistant Secretary of the Office of Income Maintenance at the Department of Human Services, also spoke at the press conference and gave a detailed presentation outlining the required forms and the process for reporting volunteer, training or employment hours for compliance purposes.
“SNAP is an essential part of our health care ecosystem and our economy here in Pennsylvania. This program puts food on the table so people can go to school, work and live healthy lives with dignity,” he said Deputy Secretary Pham. “These cuts will hit some of our most vulnerable people. The way we can get through this is by working together. I am grateful for the leadership of our state Senate partners who have helped prepare their communities. We are committed to helping Pennsylvanians who need and qualify for SNAP keep these benefits, so I encourage anyone who has family, friends or neighbors who may be at risk to spread the word information and help protect your community.”
Advocates and social partners incl Jerzy Matysikexecutive director of the Share Food program and Desiree LaMarr Murphyfounder of Murphy’s Giving Market, also discussed the impact of SNAP cuts and what they mean for the pantries they support and the families they serve.
“When SNAP cuts take full effect, pantries like ours will inevitably be impacted immediately without government funding or adequate support to keep food on our shelves or in the mouths of our most vulnerable,” Murphy said. “The pressure will be on food banks and food pantries, which is too much for us to handle.”
Senators Kearney and Haywood and Rep. Curry reaffirmed their commitment to continued outreach to inform their constituents about the changes, ensuring no one loses access to the benefits they need.
Today’s event was another step in a broader perspective “Food is dignity” tour.led by Senator Haywood, which continues to operate across the Commonwealth to assist residents adapt and prevent unnecessary loss of SNAP benefits.
Elected officials encourage current SNAP recipients to stay up to date on requirements and periodically visit the DHS SNAP Toolkit website.
DHS SNAP Toolkit website:
SNAP Toolkit | Department of Social Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
You can watch the press conference and community briefing Here.
For more information about this press release, please contact Senator Tim Kearney’s office at 610-544-6120.
###
The post Senator Kearney, Curry’s Lead Representative at Press Conference and Community Briefing to Discuss New SNAP Work Requirements Threatening Food Access appeared first on Pennsylvania Senate Democrats.
