A few points about changes to SNAP to help you get started:
 

• On Friday, October 17th, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) issued an official statement informing SNAP recipients that November benefits will not be paid until the federal government shutdown ends and / or funds are released to Pennsylvania.

• In Fiscal Year 2024, 15.3% of Pennsylvania residents participated in SNAP, with an average of two million recipients receiving SNAP benefits monthly, according to analytics by USAFacts. 

• In New Jersey, a monthly average of about 827,000 residents received SNAP benefits. That is roughly 8.7% of the population in 2024. 

• H.R.1 (Big Beautiful Bill) has created changes that will reduce SNAP funding by about 20%, meaning that families will lose on average $108 per month. 

• Additionally, state cost-sharing requirements, work requirements, and eligibility for non-U.S. citizens have been changed. Current requirements limit able-bodied recipients with no children to 3 months of SNAP benefits every 3 years unless they are working 20 hours per week or qualify for an exemption. H.R.1 will expand these requirements to individuals ages 55-64, parents with children ages 14 and up, and veterans. 

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