For nearly 50 years, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been a lifeline for millions, helping keep healthy food on tables across communities. Right now, Pennsylvania faces unprecedented threats that could remove or reduce this safety net for over one million people if proposed federal cuts become law.
Why SNAP Matters in Pennsylvania
Almost 2 million Pennsylvanians use SNAP to buy groceries, ensuring they don’t go hungry when food prices, rent, and utilities keep rising.
Every month, more than $365 million in vital federal SNAP funds flow into the state, supporting families, local stores, and our entire economy.
Healthy food = strong communities. Making sure low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities can eat well isn’t just about compassion—it’s fundamental for our economic health and social stability.
What’s Changing With The New Bill?
Congress is considering a bill that would:
Force states like Pennsylvania to pay for a share of SNAP for the first time.
Dramatically expand strict work requirements that already keep eligible people from getting SNAP.
Cut administrative funding for counties to process and deliver benefits.
Let’s look closer at each of these changes and how they affect real people.
State Budgets Can’t Fill The SNAP Gap
Previously, SNAP has been 100% federally funded. Now, the bill may stick Pennsylvania with a $1 billion annual bill to cover food assistance. If the state can’t raise this massive amount—even finding $500 million would be a stretch—SNAP could be cut in half.
Pennsylvania would face two tough options:
Take food assistance from one million people;
or Cut monthly benefits in half, making it even harder for families to cover grocery bills.
If the state is unable to fund even these partial fixes, the cuts could go deeper, putting even more people at risk.
More Work Requirements = Fewer People Helped
SNAP already has rules requiring some recipients to work. Under the proposed changes, these requirements get even harsher:
Parents with children older than 6
Older adults aged 55–64
These groups could lose benefits after just three months if they can’t meet the new standards, even if they’re already struggling with resumes, interviews, and limited work opportunities. The bill also takes away the state’s ability to excuse job-seekers in high-unemployment regions, cutting off a vital relief valve during tough times.
That means over 400,000 parents, children, and older adults in Pennsylvania alone are at risk. And people with disabilities—who already struggle to prove exemptions and navigate paperwork—lose out at the same rate as those without disabilities.
Administrative Cuts and Confusing Requirements
Running SNAP isn’t just about money for food. Counties also need federal funding for staff, technology, and security. The new bill would slash this support in half, even as the paperwork and rules get more complicated.
Less staff means:
Fewer trained caseworkers to help with applications and mistakes,
Longer waits to get help or fix errors,
More eligible residents dropping off benefits simply because they can’t get through.
It’s a recipe for confusion and hardship, especially for those already facing barriers.
For Those Already Struggling, The Effects Are Devastating
Local legal aid agencies, like Community Legal Services (CLS), see the effects up close:
Most CLS clients depend on SNAP for groceries.
If support falls short, families must choose between food, paying bills, or keeping lights on.
Seniors and people with disabilities risk getting sicker without proper nutrition to manage health problems.
Hunger, homelessness, and disconnection from basic utilities can follow, putting entire families at risk.
SNAP: Not Just a Benefit, But a Foundation
These proposed cuts don’t just remove food from tables—they threaten to unravel the very fabric of Pennsylvania’s communities:
Families could plunge even deeper into poverty,
Local grocers and farmers lose customers,
The wider economy suffers as millions in federal funds vanish.
SNAP Changes at a Glance
| SNAP Now | Proposed SNAP Changes |
|---|---|
| 100% federally funded | States pay significant portion (up to $1B/year) |
| Existing work requirements | Stricter/universal work requirements |
| Waivers for high-unemployment areas | Waivers severely restricted |
| Children, older adults somewhat protected | Parents & adults 55–64 now subject to work rules |
| $365M+ monthly federal funds | Risk of losing up to half funding or benefits |
| Counties funded for admin & technology | County admin funding cut by 50% |
What Can You Do?
Now is the time to:
Speak out for your community—tell lawmakers that food should never be a luxury.
Support local food banks and advocacy organizations helping those at immediate risk.
Stay informed, connect with leaders, and make your voice heard in defense of SNAP.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who will be most affected by the SNAP cuts in Pennsylvania?
Low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, parents of children over six, and older adults (55–64) will be most impacted. Over one million Pennsylvanians could lose assistance or see their benefits slashed.
2. Why can’t Pennsylvania just make up the difference if the federal government cuts funding?
Replacing $1 billion of lost federal SNAP support is beyond the state’s current budget capacity. Even raising $500 million would be extremely difficult, triggering major cuts in benefits or coverage.
3. What happens to local services if funding for SNAP administration is slashed?
County offices would have less staff and resources, making it harder for people to apply, fix mistakes, or secure their benefits. This could lead to longer wait times and more people dropping off the program unnecessarily.
New SNAP Work Rules May Impact Your Benefits — Learn How to Respond Before It’s Too Late
