Coping With the SNAP Payment Interruption in Pennsylvania

Written By Amy Hyatt

In October 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) reported that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will not receive their November payments due to the government shutdown. Nearly 2,000,000 individuals and families in Pennsylvania are affected by this interruption (USDA, 2025).

Food insecurity can have a profound effect not only physically but also mentally. When basic needs are unmet, it is difficult to focus on daily responsibilities, manage stress, or process past trauma. Understanding available resources and taking action now can reduce the strain on both your physical and emotional health.

What We Know About the November SNAP Interruption

Despite the payment delay, DHS encourages recipients to continue renewing benefits and updating household information, income, and contact details. Staying up to date ensures eligibility and helps prevent further disruption once payments resume. It’s been reported that individuals and families will be notified once payments are set to resume (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 2025).

SNAP Eligibility Changes in Pennsylvania

There also anticipated changes to SNAP eligibility. These may affect adults aged 18–64 who do not have a dependent child under 14. In addition to this, veterans and former foster youth aged 18–24 will no longer automatically be exempt from work requirements. These changes have not yet taken effect, but being aware can help you plan ahead (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 2025).

Immediate Steps for SNAP Recipients

  1. Update Your Information: Make sure all income, household occupants, and contact info are current.

  2. Renew Benefits: Timely renewal avoids unnecessary gaps.

  3. Contact Your Local Assistance Office or DHS:

    • DHS Customer Service: 877-395-8930

    • Philadelphia: 215-560-7226

Early action reduces stress and uncertainty during this period.

Food Resources in Pennsylvania

Local resources might be able to provide support:

Reaching out before you run out of food ensures better access to assistance and planning support.

Mental Health and Food Insecurity

Food scarcity can impact emotional well being. Common effects include:

  • Anxiety and heightened worry

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Feelings of shame or helplessness

Managing these responses is important. Simple coping strategies may include grounding exercises, structured problem solving, or reaching out to supportive networks.

At Where The Irises Grow Therapy, we recognize that financial stress and food insecurity can affect mental health. If you are experiencing anxiety, trauma responses, or difficulty coping related to these changes, seeking support from a mental health professional can help you navigate stress more effectively. We are pleased to offer a free 15 minute consultation for anyone seeking therapy during this time, to determine if our services would be a good fit for your needs.

Staying Informed

Keep up with updates directly from DHS:

Being informed about policy changes allows you to plan ahead and reduce uncertainty.

References

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (2025). SNAP. https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/snap

U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2025). Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) data. https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap

Amy Hyatt