In a significant development for Pennsylvania’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, Governor Josh Shapiro has announced the resumption of federal funding. This announcement comes after a legal victory against the Trump administration, which had paused benefits due to a government shutdown.
“I wanted to come here today to tell you that as a result of the great work that our Department of Human Services has done, as a result of our winning lawsuit against the Trump administration, the dollars are beginning to flow again to SNAP recipients who haven’t received their benefits over the first six days of this month,” Shapiro stated during his announcement in Philadelphia.
‘My appeal to the Trump administration is, just do the right thing. Give up. You’re going to lose again in court. The only thing you’re fighting for is to make Americans go hungry.’
— Gov. Josh Shapiro
SNAP benefits were initially scheduled for distribution during the first week of November. Shapiro urged recipients who had not received their benefits to check their balances, stating, “If you’re one of those people that had a zero on your SNAP card because you were supposed to get your benefits on the first of the month, go check it out.”
The governor emphasized that the funds would be available soon, optimistically adding, “We are hoping that by this evening, by midnight or so, that all of those individuals who were owed money over the first week or so of this month, who hadn’t gotten it from the federal administration are going to get their money.”
The pause in funding was initially announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to a government shutdown.
Impact on Over 2 Million Residents
With over 2 million Pennsylvanians reliant on SNAP benefits, the state’s response was prompt. Governor Shapiro, alongside other Democratic leaders, challenged the USDA’s decision to withhold funds, arguing against the failure to utilize a $6 billion contingency fund meant to sustain SNAP during federal financial impasses.
The legal challenge culminated in a federal judge ruling mandating the Trump administration to release full SNAP benefits by Friday. However, the administration is reportedly appealing this decision, as per NPR reports.
Governor Shapiro reiterated his stance, urging the former administration to prioritize citizens’ needs over legal battles, saying, “My appeal to the Trump administration is, just do the right thing. Give up. You’re going to lose again in court. The only thing you’re fighting for is to make Americans go hungry.”
Meanwhile, Vice President J. D. Vance labeled the court’s decision as “absurd,” a sentiment that Shapiro criticized as “phony” and “shameful” during his press conference.
