HARRISBURG, Pa. — Starting Nov. 1, new federal rules will expand work requirements and time limits for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, raising concerns among local officials and food bank leaders who say the changes could worsen hunger across the Lehigh Valley.
The policy shift stems from the federal budget bill passed by congressional Republicans and signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year. Under the new law, adults ages 18 to 64 who do not have a dependent child under 14 and are considered physically and mentally able to work must meet SNAP’s work requirements to maintain benefits.
Those requirements include working, volunteering or participating in an education or training program for at least 20 hours a week — or 80 hours per month — and regularly reporting those activities. Veterans and former foster youth ages 18 to 24, who were previously exempt, will now also be subject to the rules.
Advocates warn the expanded restrictions could push thousands of Pennsylvanians out of the food assistance program at a time when local food banks are already under strain due to the ongoing government shutdown.
“The shutdown isn’t just a headline; it means empty pantries for families across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos,” said U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, whose district includes parts of Lehigh and Northampton counties. “Essential government programs that support local families are in immediate danger. Tens of thousands of local families depend on SNAP and WIC, and local food banks will struggle to keep up with the surge in demand if these programs are allowed to lapse.”
Mackenzie blamed the shutdown on Democrats who opposed the budget bill, saying they refused to back it because it would give too much power to the Trump administration while cutting key social programs. Democratic leaders argued that the measure undermined protections for vulnerable Americans, weakening health care and nutrition assistance in exchange for keeping the government open.
Dawn Godshall, CEO of Community Action Lehigh Valley, said her organization is bracing for a spike in need.
“Food banks are already struggling to meet the needs of those facing hunger and cannot fill the gap if SNAP and WIC payments are halted,” Godshall said. “USDA can, and must, use all available options to ensure that millions of families across the country, including nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians, can put enough food on the table come November.”
Sarah Wassel, Associate Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank said the ripple effects of SNAP reductions extend far beyond families who rely on the program.
“When SNAP funding was cut before, we immediately saw the need at the pantries increase — but at the same time, our corporate donors, like grocery stores, actually stopped donating because their sales dropped,” Wassel said. “It’s not just a trickle-down effect. It’s a trickle-around. It hits everyone — grocery store prices, staffing, local jobs. It’s like an oil spill. You know there’s damage, but you don’t know how much.”
Wassel said the food bank’s network of more than 200 pantries is already feeling the strain.
“Our phones are ringing off the hook. People are calling, asking where they can go for food,” she said. “We’re short on staples like proteins, eggs and dairy — the things people really need. Donations help, but we’re facing an emergency. I know what hunger feels like, and I don’t ever want anyone to feel that way.”
Wassel urged residents who can to donate food or money to their local pantries.
“Even the richest person is going to know what hunger feels like,” she said. “Hunger holds no party line. We just need to make sure we take care of our neighbors.”
