November SNAP benefits will not go out in PA unless immediate action: Officials

Unless Congress takes immediate action to end the government shutdown, beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNPA) in Pennsylvania will not receive payments for November, the state’s Department of Human Services said on Monday.

According to officials, SNAP payments rely on funding from the federal government, and Pennsylvania’s state government does not have the funds available to backfill the lost funding.

“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,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a press release.

State officials said that the November payments could still go out if Congress takes immediate action, but Republicans and Democrats remained at odds on Monday and it is unclear when they will reach a funding deal.

Democrats say they will not vote for a bill to fund the government until Republicans agree to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire this year, but Republicans say that can wait and a funding bill should be passed without the extension.

If beneficiaries do miss their November payments, officials want them to know any unused funds from October will carry over, as funds carry over month-to-month.