Earlier this month, the United States Department of Agriculture notified Pennsylvania that it will be unable to fully fund November SNAP benefits because of the federal shutdown.

That means that without the White House and/or the Republican-controlled Congress taking immediate action to reopen the federal government, November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments will not be made to Pennsylvanians. The Commonwealth cannot backfill these costs.

Since its inception in 1964, the federal government has fully funded SNAP, distributing more than $366 million every month to Pennsylvania. At this time, however, no SNAP benefits will be issued until a budget or continuing resolution is passed by Congress.

Despite the ongoing shutdown, SNAP recipients with unspent funds on their EBT cards will still be able to use these funds. SNAP benefits do not expire at the end of each month and are able to be spent for a calendar year. DHS strongly encourages SNAP recipients to keep their card locked with the ConnectEBT app or website to protect their benefits when the card is not in use.

DHS will continue to process applications for SNAP and other benefits during the shutdown. Recipients should continue to report case changes, submit any semi-annual reviews or renewals they receive during this period, and update their cases for the new federal work reporting requirements that start November 1to not risk an interruption of their benefits in the future.

For immediate needs during the shutdown, Pennsylvanians can use PA Navigate pa-navigate.org/ to help find food and other resources. Local help is also available by calling 211 or visiting www.pa211.org. Pennsylvanians can also visit www.feedingpa.org to find local food banks and other food assistance programs.

Pennsylvanians who are able to assist their local food banks, food pantries, and other helping organizations are encouraged to support however they can as these organizations continue to experience high demand.

For more information about the federal government shutdown and its effects on Pennsylvania, visit www.pa.gov.