Important SNAP and SEPTA Updates

Rep. Leanne Krueger October 21, 2025 | 3:29 PM

PA Representative Leanne Krueger banner image

Dear Neighbor,

Because lawmakers in Washington, D.C. have failed to pass a federal budget, the federal government has shut down, and this has serious consequences for Pennsylvanians.

One of the most immediate impacts is that November 2025 SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits cannot be paid until they pass a federal budget. SNAP funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which cannot release funds during the shutdown.

SNAP provides essential food assistance to more than 2 million Pennsylvanians, including children, older adults, and people with disabilities. More than half of SNAP recipients are families with children, and one in four households receiving SNAP includes working adults earning low wages who qualify for help putting food on the table. Without federal funding, these families will not receive food aid in November.

If you currently receive SNAP, please continue to complete your renewals and report any changes to your income, contact information, or household members during the shutdown. Keeping your information up to date will help ensure your benefits can be processed as soon as funding resumes.

It’s time to urge your federal lawmakers to do the right thing and end the shutdown and pass a federal budget that funds vital programs like SNAP and Affordable Care Act subsidies.

What about the PA Budget?

Here in Pennsylvania, the situation is also urgent. The state Senate has yet to act on the balanced, bipartisan, no-tax-increase budget that the House has sent over three times in the past three months. Without a finalized state budget, Pennsylvania cannot even try to backfill the loss of federal food aid or health care subsidies.

The State Senate is back in session this week. I am hoping they will run the budget we sent them two weeks ago and put an end to the budget impasse.

You can take action here: https://www.pahouse.net/TakeAction?ac=187

Updates on SEPTA Regional Rail Service

My office has received calls about recent disruptions on the SEPTA Regional Rail system, and I understand how frustrating these delays, skipped stations, and cancellations have been for riders in Delaware County.

Earlier this month, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued an Emergency Order following a series of fires involving SEPTA’s Silverliner IV regional rail cars, which make up two thirds of the Regional Rail cars. In response, SEPTA has taken immediate action by implementing required safety improvements, conducting thorough inspections and maintenance, and reviewing operational procedures to ensure rider safety. I spoke to SEPTA last week after I got a message from a local commuter and they told me they’re inspecting the cars as quickly as possible to get them back into service. The inspection teams are working around the clock.

A long-term funding solution for SEPTA remains essential to strengthen the aging rail cars and to modernize safety measures that protect passengers, employees, and the regional rail system. The PA House voted five times for sustainable public transportation funding, but the PA Senate failed to advance the bill.

SEPTA is keeping customers updated through their website at https://www.septa.org/, social media, and the SEPTA App.

In the District

Connecting Residents with Legal Resources

Last Friday, I co-hosted a Know Your Rights, Use Your Voice Legal Resource Fair with the Domestic Abuse Project (DAP) at Neumann University.

We brought together community organizations and legal experts to connect residents with free information and resources on a range of important issues related to domestic violence.

Legal representatives joined us from DAP, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, the Delaware County Victim Assistance Center, and the Senior Law Center.

I’m grateful to all our partners who helped make this event possible and for their ongoing work to ensure Delaware County residents know their rights and have access to the support they need.

Important Programs and Services

Change to SNAP Work Requirements

This past summer, the Republican-led Congress passed legislation that made several changes to programs administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS).

If you receive SNAP benefits, there are some new work and reporting rules you should know about.

If you receive SNAP benefits and are between ages 18-64, do not have a dependent child under age 14, and are physically and mentally able to work, you must now report at least 20 hours per week of work, education, training, or volunteering.

SNAP recipients who do not meet these requirements will only be eligible for three months of benefits within a three-year period.

There are some exemptions to these new work requirements. Check the graphic below to see if you qualify for one.

Remember to keep your address up to date with DHS and the United States Postal Service so you won’t miss any important information about your benefits.

If you have questions or need help understanding the new requirements, you can contact DHS directly at 1-877—395-8930, visit the DHS website , or reach out to my office.

You can also find local food resources through:

Feeding Pennsylvania - https://www.feedingpa.org/find-food/local-food-pantries/
Delaware County Food and Nutrition Programs – https://delcopa.gov/food-and-nutrition-programs
Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) - https://www.delcopa.gov/cosa/food-resources

Your Vote Matters

As we approach the General Election on Tuesday, November 4, here are some key dates to remember:

Tuesday, October 28 – Last day to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot.
Tuesday, November 4 – Election Day: Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Voters must be in line by 8 p.m. to cast their ballot.
8 p.m., Tuesday, November 4 – Deadline for mail-in and absentee ballots to be received.

To request a mail-in or absentee ballot, visit vote.pa.gov.

Calling all Pennsylvania Students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade!

The Pennsylvania Auditor General is asking Pennsylvania students to help design the cover of their new Be Money $mart Activity Book!

Submissions are due October 31
Open to K–12 students in Pennsylvania

Learn more on the Auditor General’s website: https://www.paauditor.gov/.../be-money-smart/activitybook/

Open Grants

Check out the most recent listing of open grants here.

Our Events

Upcoming PA Medi Webinars

Please register by calling 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net

Medicare Updates

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

6 PM – 7 PM

Medicare 101

Monday, November 3, 2025

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Medicare Drug & Advantage Plan Comparisons

Monday, November 10, 2025

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Veterans Appreciation Lunch

Thursday, October 23

11 AM – 1 PM

American Legion Hall, Post 926

3220 Concord Rd., Aston, PA 19014

To RSVP, call 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net

Veterans and family members are invited to this event that I am co-hosting with Sen. John Kane for a FREE lunch and to learn about government-related programs and services available.