HARRISBURG, PA – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis is calling for immediate federal action to help the nearly two million Pennsylvanians who rely on vital food assistance through the federally-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which the White House has halted for November because of the federal government shutdown.
One day after Governor Josh Shapiro took legal action against the Trump Administration for unlawfully suspending SNAP, the Lieutenant Governor visited the Central PA Food Bank alongside Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and leadership from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to highlight the looming food crisis caused by Republicans in Washington, D.C.
“This is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen as a public servant – the Trump Administration is deliberately causing pain to people in need, people who rely on food assistance to feed their families,” said Davis. “There is absolutely no need to do this. There are contingency funds held in reserve for occasions just like this one. Instead, the Trump Administration is desperately trying to score political points and lying about what’s at stake with the government shutdown.
“Here in Pennsylvania, I know our communities are strong, and our neighbors are generous. I want to encourage those Pennsylvanians who can to contribute to their local food bank or nonprofit organization, to help those who are in danger of going hungry.”
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified Pennsylvania that it will not fund November SNAP benefits because of the federal shutdown. That means that without the White House and/or the Republican-controlled Congress taking immediate action to reopen the federal government or fund SNAP, November SNAP payments will not be made to Pennsylvanians.
“SNAP is our country’s most important anti-hunger program, helping nearly two million Pennsylvanians feed themselves and their families every day and directly investing in the grocers, food producers, farmers, small business owners and the workforce who fuels our Commonwealth," said DHS Deputy Secretary for Income Maintenance Hoa Pham. "This is the first time since SNAP’s inception that individuals and families who qualify for this program will not get their expected SNAP payment – a benefit that people rely on to eat and live. The repercussions from this delay are cruel and harmful to our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians who need food on their tables and will greatly strain our charitable food partners who show up through adversity but also rely on SNAP to offset demand. This is an avoidable crisis, and our federal leaders must act now so we restore this life-sustaining program."
The federal government provides more than $366 million in SNAP payments to Pennsylvanians each month – the Governor has made it clear that the Commonwealth cannot backfill these costs.
“Pennsylvania’s agriculture community has always stepped up in times of need, and I know we will again,” said Secretary Redding. “But make no mistake — SNAP is a lifeline that no state or charity can replace. We need federal leaders to restore funding now and uphold their responsibility to the people who grow, sell, and depend on America’s food supply.”
Despite the ongoing shutdown, SNAP recipients with unspent funds on their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards can still use these funds. SNAP benefits do not expire at the end of each month and are able to be spent for a calendar year, as long as their card is used at least once every nine months.
SNAP recipients are strongly encouraged to keep their card locked with the ConnectEBT app or website to protect their benefits when the card is not in use. EBT card users must also remain diligent and inspect point-of-sale machines before swiping their card to avoid skimming incidents where benefits can be stolen electronically. More information on SNAP scams and theft at www.dhs.pa.gov/scams.
For immediate needs during the shutdown, Pennsylvanians can use PA Navigate (pa-navigate.org) to help find food and other resources. Local help is also available by calling 211 or visiting www.pa211.org. Pennsylvanians can also visit www.feedingpa.org to find local food banks and other food assistance programs.