SNAP benefits to be restored in Pennsylvania, Shapiro says
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Josh Shapiro said Friday that Pennsylvania has begun distributing delayed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, following a federal court ruling that ordered the restoration of the funds.
Shapiro said the state Department of Human Services “put a process into motion” as soon as Thursday’s court decision came down, and that residents who should have received benefits on Nov. 1 will start seeing them load onto their EBT cards as soon as Friday evening.
“The dollars are beginning to flow again to SNAP recipients who haven’t received their benefits,” Shapiro said during a news conference at the State Capitol. “People are owed these benefits, and they will get them.”
According to the Department of Human Services, 143,967 Pennsylvanians were affected by the delay. That includes 3,353 people in Lehigh County and 1,856 in Northampton County.
Shapiro appeared alongside DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh. He said the administration had already prepared emergency measures to support food access while the benefits were stalled. Last week, Shapiro signed a disaster declaration that made $5 million in state funds immediately available to food banks. He also noted that more than $2 million in private donations has been raised for hunger relief efforts.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture notified states Friday that it is working to release full November SNAP payments in compliance with the federal judge’s ruling. In a letter, the agency said that by the end of the day it would complete “the processes necessary to make funds available” for states to issue benefits.
Shapiro also strongly criticized the Trump administration and Vice President JD Vance, placing blame on them for the stoppage of benefits.
“Give up — you’re going to lose again in court,” Shapiro said, referring to ongoing legal challenges over the payments. “The only thing you’re fighting for is making Americans hungry.”
Shapiro responded to a mention of Vance calling the court order “absurd.”
“America has a president and vice president that don’t give a damn about all Americans,” Shapiro said. “JD Vance is a total phony.”
“People who are leading in America quite literally want to keep people hungry,” he added. “And when I see hungry people in my state because of JD Vance’s politics, that makes me angry. And that’s why I went to court.”
On Thursday, Shapiro visited the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank in Luzerne County to highlight the impact of SNAP benefits and emergency relief funds. He said two million Pennsylvanians — including 714,000 children — rely on SNAP to buy groceries.
“One in eight of our neighbors relies on SNAP,” Shapiro said. “This is about making sure they can put food on the table.”
State officials said they will continue monitoring the distribution process to ensure all delayed benefits are issued.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Josh Shapiro said Friday that Pennsylvania has begun distributing delayed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, following a federal court ruling that ordered the restoration of the funds.
Shapiro said the state Department of Human Services “put a process into motion” as soon as Thursday’s court decision came down, and that residents who should have received benefits on Nov. 1 will start seeing them load onto their EBT cards as soon as Friday evening.
“The dollars are beginning to flow again to SNAP recipients who haven’t received their benefits,” Shapiro said during a news conference at the Capitol. “People are owed these benefits, and they will get them.”
According to the Department of Human Services, 143,967 Pennsylvanians were affected by the delay. That includes 3,353 people in Lehigh County and 1,856 in Northampton County.
Shapiro appeared alongside DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. He said the administration had already prepared emergency measures to support food access while the benefits were stalled. Last week, Shapiro signed a disaster declaration that made $5 million in state funds immediately available to food banks. He also noted that more than $2 million in private donations has been raised for hunger relief efforts.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture notified states Friday that it is working to release full November SNAP payments in compliance with the federal judge’s ruling. In a letter, the agency said that by the end of the day it would complete “the processes necessary to make funds available” for states to issue benefits.
Shapiro also strongly criticized the Trump administration and Vice President JD Vance, placing blame on them for the stoppage of benefits.
“Give up — you’re going to lose again in court,” Shapiro said, referring to ongoing legal challenges over the payments. “The only thing you’re fighting for is making Americans hungry.”
Shapiro responded to a mention of Vance calling the court order “absurd.”
“America has a president and vice president that don’t give a damn about all Americans,” Shapiro said. “JD Vance is a total phony.”
“People who are leading in America quite literally want to keep people hungry,” he added. “And when I see hungry people in my state because of JD Vance’s politics, that makes me angry. And that’s why I went to court.”
On Thursday, Shapiro visited the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank in Luzerne County to highlight the impact of SNAP benefits and emergency relief funds. He said two million Pennsylvanians — including 714,000 children — rely on SNAP to buy groceries.
“One in eight of our neighbors relies on SNAP,” Shapiro said. “This is about making sure they can put food on the table.”
Organizations like the Central Moravian Food Pantry, Choice Food Pantry, Second Harvest Food Bank, the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank and the Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley are available resources for community members.
