Trump’s ‘beautiful’ bill brings changes to SNAP in Pa. Here’s what to know.

State officials have estimated that about 144,000 SNAP recipients will lose their benefits because of the new rules. However, advocates say people who rely on the program can take steps to protect their access to food assistance.

Expanded work requirements for federal food benefits are arriving in Pennsylvania in September, changes that advocates worry could kick tens of thousands of people off nutrition assistance. 

Up to now, most of Pennsylvania has been exempt from work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food benefits used by about one out of six of the Keystone State’s residents. 

But because of provisions in the so-called “big, beautiful” bill passed by Congress in August, all counties in the commonwealth will be subject to the requirement. 

State officials have estimated that about 144,000 SNAP recipients will lose their benefits because of the new rules. However, advocates say people who rely on the program can take steps to protect their access to food assistance.

“Food stamps is a crucial lifeline,” said Tue Ho, a lawyer with Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, which is working to spread awareness of the changes. “So we want to make sure people know about the new changes and they are proactive in preserving their benefits.”

Here is more information about the changes:

What is the work requirement?

Many able-bodied SNAP recipients who are ages 18 to 54 will have to work or attend an education or training program for at least 20 hours per week starting Sept. 1 or risk losing their nutrition assistance. 

While work requirements have long been part of the food program, federal officials to this point have granted Pennsylvania geographic waivers that exclude most parts of the commonwealth from this mandate. 

The “big, beautiful” bill passed by Congress in July raises the bar for getting these geographic waivers, and as a result, the commonwealth will no longer qualify for them. Pennsylvania’s waiver expireds at the end of August, which is why the new rules kick in during September, according to Community Legal Services of Philadelphia.

The legislation also raised the age cutoff for the work requirements from 55 to 65 and removed exemptions for parents of children ages 14 to 18. Those two changes will take effect Nov. 1.

People who don’t comply with the work requirement will only have access to SNAP benefits for three months of each three-year period. So recipients who aren’t compliant with the rules as of Sept. 1 are at risk of dropping off the program starting in December.

Am I exempt from the SNAP requirement? 

Though the SNAP changes broaden work requirements to many Pennsylvanians, there are a number of exemptions to the requirement. People can qualify for an exemption if they, among other things:

• Are living with a child younger than 14 (or younger than 18 up until Nov. 1).  
• Have a physical or mental health condition that limits their ability to work. 
• Are pregnant.
• Are in a drug or alcohol recovery program.
• Are a caretaker for an ill or disabled person.
• Are on unemployment.
• Can’t work because of a domestic violence situation.

State officials have posted a more comprehensive list of the possible exemptions.

How will I know if I need to apply for an exemption? 

Ho said county assistance offices already have information they need to determine that some SNAP recipients are complying with the work requirement or won’t be subject to it. 

For instance, they’d have a person’s age on file or be aware if a recipient is getting disability benefits.

Human services officials have been sending out notifications to SNAP recipients who don’t have an automatic exemption and are mailing them questionnaires to determine if they might qualify for one. People who get one of these questionnaires should fill out and return it as soon as possible, Ho said.

They should also keep a photocopy of the completed questionnaire and request a paper receipt when turning it in, just in case they need to prove they submitted it, he advised.

For some people, sending back the form might be the only required step. In other cases, Ho said, county assistance offices might request additional information or ask for more documentation as they review the exemption request.

Should I do anything if I’m already meeting the work requirement? 

Many people on SNAP are already working and complying with the requirement, Ho noted. Still, he would advise these individuals to check the list of potential exemptions and gather any paperwork that proves they are eligible for one or more of them.

For instance, a person could obtain a doctor’s note stating that he or she has a health condition that makes it challenging to work. 

That way, if the SNAP recipient’s work hours are reduced or the person loses a job, he or she already has proof of exemption and can retain food assistance benefits, Ho said.

If I get kicked out of SNAP, can I get back in?

Generally, people who are not exempt and not following the work requirement will get three months of SNAP benefits before getting locked out of the program for another two years and nine months. 

But recipients who get a job that complies with the work requirement can get back into the program before that three-year period elapses and should reapply, Ho said. 

The same goes for people who start qualifying for an exemption, such as women who become pregnant or individuals who are diagnosed with a new health condition, he said.  

What if I’m confused or need to appeal my rejection from SNAP?

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has launched a website to explain the new requirements and connect people with resources.

Philadelphia residents can get in touch with Community Legal Services of Philadelphia if they have questions. 

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia has recorded a webinar with detailed information about the SNAP changes and posted informational brochures, a copy of the questionnaire people are receiving and other forms that recipients might need.

Philadelphia residents can contact the nonprofit directly with questions about their particular situation or if they’ve lost their benefits and are trying to get them back, Ho said.

He said people living in other parts of the commonwealth should contact their local legal aid offices to help them. A list of these organizations is available online at palegalaid.net.

This story was updated to mention the website the state launched to provide information about the SNAP changes.