SNAP assistance declines in Pennsylvania amid rising food costs

In Pennsylvania, over 200,000 people, including 60,000 children, have lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) since last July. This decline in assistance comes as food costs continue to rise, placing increased pressure on organizations like the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Recent changes to SNAP funding structures have shifted a greater financial burden onto individual states. Previously, the federal and state governments shared costs equally, but new rules require states to cover 75% of the funding, with the federal government providing only 25%. Experts suggest these complexities and funding shifts may lead to further cuts for vulnerable populations, including seniors and people with disabilities, who are struggling to manage rising costs for housing, utilities, and fuel.