We are urging Congress to delay a federal requirement that would shift SNAP benefit costs to states, putting critical food assistance at risk for more than 300,000 of our neighbors and threatening our regional economy.
SNAP is one of the nation’s most effective anti-hunger programs, supporting children, seniors and people with disabilities while generating more than 19,000 jobs across Pennsylvania and improving health and economic stability for families.
Under this requirement enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, states will be required to absorb significant costs tied to administrative errors that are often caused by outdated systems and staffing shortages, not participant fraud. Based on recent USDA data, Pennsylvania could face an additional $425 million burden in its 2027–2028 budget.
We have already seen the consequences of disrupted SNAP access: when benefits were paused for just two weeks last fall, demand for food assistance more than doubled. Charitable food programs cannot replace SNAP.
Delaying this cost shift is a responsible solution, giving states time to improve systems, avoid harmful budget cuts or tax increases and ensure families can continue to put food on the table. We call on Congress to act now to protect SNAP and the communities it serves.
Tell Congress to give states time to improve administrative accuracy for the SNAP program and avoid budget cuts or tax increases without disrupting food assistance for families. Take action at pittsburghfoodbank.org/snapaction.