HARRISBURG, PA — Governor Josh Shapiro announced Friday that his administration is expediting the release of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for Pennsylvania residents following a federal court order requiring the Trump Administration to issue 100 percent of payments nationwide.
As of Friday afternoon, the state began processing approximately $100 million in benefits, with funds already being loaded onto Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards for nearly two million families, seniors, and children across the Commonwealth.
“No Pennsylvanian should go hungry because of federal inaction and Congressional Republicans’ failure to pass a budget,” said Governor Shapiro. “Despite the daily chaos and confusion from the Trump Administration around SNAP, my administration is working quickly to get payments moving for nearly two million families, seniors, and children who rely on SNAP to help put food on the table.”
The Shapiro administration said the Department of Human Services (DHS) is following its standard distribution schedule, ensuring that residents who missed early November payments will soon have access to their benefits. Recipients can check their balances and manage card security through the ConnectEBT app or website.
DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh thanked local food banks and community partners for assisting residents during the disruption. “I am relieved we can issue November benefits, but there is still more work to do to ensure stability for December and beyond,” Arkoosh said.
The court’s ruling followed a lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania and 24 other states challenging the Trump Administration’s decision to suspend payments and hold billions in unused federal funds. In response to the ongoing federal shutdown, Governor Shapiro also signed a disaster declaration, directed $5 million in emergency aid to Feeding Pennsylvania’s food bank network, and launched the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund, which has raised over $2 million in private donations.
Each month, SNAP provides more than $366 million in benefits to help nearly two million Pennsylvanians — including over 700,000 children and 697,000 older adults — afford basic groceries. The USDA estimates that every $1 billion in SNAP benefits generates roughly $1.54 billion in economic activity.
While November payments are secured, state officials said uncertainty remains over December benefits if the federal government shutdown continues.
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