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SNAP Benefits Freeze to Leave Millions Nationwide Struggling to Pay for Food

Strategic Insights

— 3 min read

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the largest and most effective tool the U.S. has to reduce food insecurity. As of late 2025, it helps more than 42 million people, including 2 million Pennsylvanians and nearly half a million Philadelphians, buy groceries. However, due to the federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania will stop distributing SNAP benefits starting November 1, 2025. This will leave over 470,000 SNAP recipients in Philadelphia without access to food assistance, exacerbating existing food insecurity issues.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits average just over $6 per person per day.
  • SNAP benefits have been suspended in Pennsylvania due to the federal government shutdown, affecting over 2 million residents, including 470,000 in Philadelphia.
  • The shutdown will likely strain household finances for low-income individuals, forcing them to choose between skipping meals or forgoing other basic needs like rent, utilities, and prescription drugs.
  • SNAP benefits have been found to reduce poverty and food insecurity, contributing to healthy growth and development in childhood and reducing the risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and poor mental health.
  • When eligible families lose access to SNAP benefits, even temporarily, they are more likely to get sick, and their children are at a greater risk of developmental delays.
  • The federal government has a contingency fund with more than $5 billion, which could be used to disburse monthly benefits.
  • Pennsylvania can pick up the costs of the program for November with its state budget stabilization funds, also known as "rainy day funds," which hold more than $7 billion.
  • Other states have already committed to using their rainy day funds to continue SNAP benefits during the shutdown.
  • SNAP benefits are accepted by over 9,800 supermarkets and other Pennsylvania retailers, estimated to make up about 12% of U.S. grocery sales with SNAP benefits.

Statistics:

  • 42 million people in the U.S. rely on SNAP benefits to buy groceries.
  • 470,000 SNAP recipients in Philadelphia will be affected by the shutdown.
  • 2 million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP benefits.
  • SNAP benefits average just over $6 per person per day.
  • The federal government has a contingency fund with more than $5 billion.
  • Pennsylvania's rainy day fund holds more than $7 billion.
  • Over 9,800 supermarkets and other retailers in Pennsylvania accept SNAP benefits.
  • SNAP benefits contribute to about 12% of U.S. grocery sales.

Sources:

  • "The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the largest, most effective tool the U.S. has to reduce food insecurity." (The Conversation -- USA, Félice Lê-Scherban, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Drexel University)
  • "Currently, SNAP benefits average just over US$6 per person per day." (The Conversation -- USA, Félice Lê-Scherban, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Drexel University)
  • "As of late 2025, it helps more than 42 million people, including 2 million Pennsylvanians and nearly half a million Philadelphians, buy groceries." (The Conversation -- USA, Félice Lê-Scherban, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Drexel University)
  • "About 12% of U.S. grocery sales are made with SNAP benefits, and over 9,800 supermarkets and other Pennsylvania retailers accept them." (The Conversation -- USA, Félice Lê-Scherban, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Drexel University)
  • "The federal agency directed all states to withhold November benefits until further notice." (The Conversation -- USA, Félice Lê-Scherban, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Drexel University)
  • "The USDA is taking this step even though it has more than $5 billion in its coffers, which could fund approximately two-thirds of what the nation spends each month on SNAP benefits." (The Conversation -- USA, Félice Lê-Scherban, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Drexel University)
  • "Pennsylvania is also among 17 states that have suspended approving new SNAP applications until the government reopens." (The Conversation -- USA, Félice Lê-Scherban, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Drexel University)
  • "On Oct. 17, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services issued a statement to the more than 2 million Pennsylvanians participating in SNAP." (The Conversation -- USA, Félice Lê-Scherban, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Drexel University)
  • "There are over 470,000 SNAP recipients in Philadelphia -- 3 in 10 Philadelphians -- who will not receive these benefits until the government shutdown ends." (The Conversation -- USA, Félice Lê-Scherban, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Drexel University)
  • "For every meal nonprofits provide, SNAP provides nine." (The Conversation -- USA, Félice Lê-Scherban, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Drexel University)
  • "Pennsylvania's rainy day fund holds more than $7 billion -- well above what's needed to cover its SNAP benefits for November." (The Conversation -- USA, Félice Lê-Scherban, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Drexel University)
  • "Some states have already committed to doing this." (The Conversation -- USA, Félice Lê-Scherban, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Drexel University)

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