Last Updated: 11/12/2025
- On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the Supreme Court extended its administrative stay on the lower court order requiring USDA to issue full SNAP benefits. As a result, states remain unable to distribute full benefits until further court action or the end of the federal government shutdown.
11/10/2025 Updates
- On Friday, November 7th, Governor Shapiro and the PA Department of Human Services released SNAP benefits to Pennsylvanians whose payment issue dates fell on or before November 3rd before being directed by USDA to stop payments..
- On the same day (11/7), the Trump Administration asked the courts to stop states from issuing benefits- this was granted by the Supreme Court late on the 7th. For a more complete timeline of the lawsuits on SNAP, please reference this article.
- As of the morning of 11/10, PA will not be able to release full benefits until the courts allow benefits to be distributed, or the government shutdown ends.
- There has been meaningful movement in the U.S. Senate to end the government shutdown over the weekend. The U.S. House has been called back to Washington D.C. to vote on the Senate legislation, meaning the federal government shutdown could end later this week.
On Nov. 3 after two separate federal court rulings, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed it would use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) contingency funds to allow states to issue partial November benefits during the government shutdown. The administration shared there would be delays in getting November SNAP benefits to recipients, although a timeline has not been shared at this time.
On Oct. 31, Pennsylvania announced it will make $5 million available to a network of food banks across the commonwealth to help feed struggling families impacted by the lack of SNAP funding.
SNAP is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, providing nine meals for every one food banks can provide. Without it, families, seniors, veterans, children, and individuals with disabilities across the Commonwealth will face impossible choices and hardships, including whether to pay for healthcare or buy groceries.
Two million hardworking Pennsylvanians struggling to make ends meet will be cut off from $366 million in monthly benefits. Specifically in the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s service area, this will jeopardize the health and well-being of over 390,000 neighbors, many of whom are children and senior citizens. In fact, nearly 80% of SNAP participants live in families with children, seniors, or people with disabilities.
Our Food Bank firmly believes no one should go hungry and will do all we can to help. Our resources are already strained due to the ongoing hunger crisis. We are experiencing a surge in demand for our services as funding and resources for critical organizations like ours have decreased. In addition, the ongoing state budget impasse has paused essential funding that enables us to provide fresh produce, dairy, and protein to families while supporting Pennsylvania farmers.
Even with release of SNAP contingency funds and other emergency funds, food banks continue to struggle to keep up with growing demand. The charitable food network was not designed to replace federal food assistance. Our Food Bank and partner agencies are committed to providing food to our neighbors in need, but we cannot do this work alone. Use your voice to urge lawmakers to protect food and critical nutrition programs like SNAP. Learn how you can advocate, volunteer, donate, or partner with us.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, the Food Bank is here to help. Find food near you by using the Find Food Map on our website.
We realize the shutdown and other recent changes to SNAP may be overwhelming. Find answers to frequently asked questions below. You can also learn more about recent changes to SNAP eligibility requirements and find resources to help by visiting our SNAP Changes page.