SNAP payments from the federal government go out on the first day of every month, but the payments will not go out Nov. 1 if the government shutdown is not resolved in time.
Recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are facing a potential freeze in monthly payments on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, causing local food pantries to grow concerned they will not be able to keep up with skyrocketing demand for food assistance.
At the West Chester Food Cupboard in Chester County, thousands of people who need food assistance come shop for free.
“It’s just harder and harder,” said Yatta Gbapaywhe, a customer of the food pantry. “I go to the grocery store, and I’m like, ‘Do I buy this or do I pay this bill.’ So coming to a place like this is truly a blessing for me.”
The volunteers who work there say they have already seen an increase in need due to federal employees being furloughed due to the shutdown, but they expect a tidal wave if SNAP payments are not sent out for November.
“Our best case business scenario is that we go out of business, because nobody needs us, but we don’t see that happening anytime soon,” said Rob Necarsulmer, a volunteer there.
Around 2 million people in Pennsylvania receive SNAP payments every month to help pay for food at grocery stores, and around 800,000 people in New Jersey and 100,000 people in Delaware do the same.
However, due to SNAP payments being suspended amid the government shutdown, which has no clear end in sight, beneficiaries across the country may go without needed food assistance in November.
“I had two different phone calls today, and they said, ‘Oh, we are so embarrassed,’ and I said nobody should ever be embarrassed. We are all neighbors. We are here to help each other out,” said Kitty Wilcox.
The volunteers at the food pantry told NBC10 that no matter what you think of politics, the shutdown is causing millions of Americans to struggle to buy food, and that is not okay with them.
“To us, food support is a basic human need, and it’s the right thing to do,” Necarsulmer said.
PA warns of scammers targeting SNAP beneficiaries amid government shutdown
Pennsylvania officials are warning of scam phone calls and texts targeting people who are recipients of SNAP amid a federal funding freeze for the program.
According to a post put out by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, several phone numbers are reaching out to SNAP recipients and telling them their benefits are on hold.
The scammers are then asking people to verify their eligibility and provide their PIN, officials said.
Officials want people to know they will never ask for personal information in an unsolicited call, text or email.
Phone numbers officials say are involved in the scam below:
- 1-888-239-7710
- 1-888-272-8720
- 1-888-737-6551
Anyone who is contacted by these numbers or believe another scam targeted them is urged call the DHS fraud tip line at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844-347-8477).
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
