Over 140,000 Pennsylvanians Risk Losing SNAP Benefits Under New Rules
PHILADELPHIA, PA — More than 140,000 residents of Pennsylvania are at risk of losing their benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to new federal work and reporting requirements. These changes stem from a budget bill passed by Congressional Republicans and signed into law by President Trump in July 2023. The rules came into effect on September 1, 2023, mandating certain SNAP recipients to report a minimum of 20 hours per week, or 80 hours per month, of work, education, training, or volunteering to maintain their benefits.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has developed a dedicated website, dhs.pa.gov/work, to assist residents in understanding the new regulations, identifying who will be affected, and learning how to comply. According to DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, “Nearly two million Pennsylvanians receive life-sustaining food benefits from SNAP every month.” She emphasized the department’s commitment to aiding residents through these federal changes by providing resources and partnerships with community organizations.
Under the new regulations, adults aged 18 to 54 who are physically able to work and lack a dependent child under 18 must fulfill the work or activity criteria to retain their benefits. Failure to meet these conditions will limit individuals to three months of SNAP assistance within a three-year period, with the earliest potential loss of benefits occurring in December 2025. Starting November 1, 2023, these requirements will expand to include individuals aged 55 to 64, parents of children aged 14 or older, veterans, homeless individuals, and current or former foster youth up to age 24.
“These new SNAP eligibility requirements impact thousands of Philadelphians, and no one should be caught off guard,” stated H. Patrick Clancy, President and CEO of Philadelphia Works. He highlighted the potential threat to food security, stating, “When food security is at risk, livelihoods are at risk, and we can’t afford for families to be left in the dark.”
The implementation of these additional requirements is projected to cost Pennsylvania over $22 million in staff, operations, and IT system adjustments. State officials are urging affected residents to keep their contact information updated with both DHS and the U.S. Postal Service to ensure they do not miss important notifications regarding their benefits.
For further details about the new SNAP rules and available support resources, residents can visit dhs.pa.gov/work. The ongoing changes highlight a critical juncture for many in Pennsylvania, as they navigate the implications of these federal requirements on their daily lives and food security.
