SEPTA information, helping a community organization in need and more…

Rep. Ben Sanchez September 19, 2025 | 1:31 PM

PA Representative Ben Sanchez banner image

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you find this week’s News and Events email helpful as we look at what’s coming up in and around the district. As always, my team and I are here to help you with any state-related matter and are happy to provide as much information as we can.

Whether you need a service, want to share your concerns, offer ideas or drop off a donation for one of our drives, we’d love to see you at my district office during our walk-in hours of 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Alternatively, feel free to reach out at (215) 517-6800 or via email at RepSanchez@pahouse.net.

Wishing you and yours a good week ahead.

Sincerely,

State Representative Ben Sanchez

SEPTA Funding Update
Legislative Brief with the Department of Environmental Protection
Hedwig House Inc.'s Annual Ice Cream Social
Mitzvah Circle Emergency Collection
Free Paper Shredding and Electronics Recycling Event
Montco Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) Update
Update on Changes to SNAP and Medicaid Benefits
PA CareerLink Discovery Day
Upcoming Community Events

I have never been more frustrated as a legislator than I am in this moment. We in the House have sent five bills to the Senate to try to come up with a viable solution to the SEPTA funding crisis and have continuously been handed back something that is unrealistic and unworkable. I don’t say this to make some political statement, but rather as a community member and fellow SEPTA rider who has been trying extremely hard to help make this situation better.

I am extremely sorry that the Senate Republican Majority has yet to do their job effectively and I am even more sorry that they can’t find a way to work together in a bipartisan, bicameral way, like those of us in the House have managed to do for our constituents. I’m angry. There’s no other way to say it.

Right now, what I can do is try to relay the information I’m getting from SEPTA to all of you who may need it to prepare for what is coming if we don’t get a comprehensive bill to the Governor for signing soon.

If you are looking for ways to help, call the three Senators in the Senate Republican majority who represent SEPTA riders. It’s no longer enough for them to say they’re supportive of SEPTA funding, they need to act.

Call them today and urge them to force their leadership to get to work:

Sen Picozzi - (215) 281-2539

Sen Farry - (215) 638-1784

Sen Pennycuick - (215) 541-2388

Please also encourage your friends and family to contact their PA Senators, as well as Senate leadership.

Click on the buttons below for more information and please know myself and my colleagues in the House of Representatives are trying our best to help SEPTA and everyone who relies on its service.

SEPTA Government Affairs Brief

SEPTA Service Cuts Rider Guide

Thank you to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) for having me at your legislative briefing yesterday with PADEP's southeast regional team and Secretary Jessica Shirley to learn more about all that the agency is currently doing to ensure and maintain a healthy environment for all in our commonwealth.

The PADEP monitors everything from air quality to drinking water, from wetlands to urban landscapes. They value environmental justice and equity and employ over a thousand people who work tirelessly to ensure that the citizens of PA have a healthy environment to call home. To learn more about how they work for you, visit https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep.

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending Hedwig House Inc.'s Annual Ice Cream Social, where I was able to speak to some of the wonderful volunteers and community members while I enjoyed my favorite frozen treat.

Thank you to everyone at Hedwig House for inviting me!

As some of you may already know, our friends at Mitzvah Circle experienced a devastating fire at their facility earlier this week that destroyed an entire trailer of donations allocated to many of our neighbors throughout our area.

In an effort to help them recover some of what they lost, my office, along with other legislative offices throughout Montgomery County, have put together an emergency needs drive. My office will be a drop off location for these items listed below.

Please feel free to bring in these items any time during our regular walk-in hours (1175 Old York Rd, Abington) of 10am-3pm daily, through September 3rd. While we will always accept donations on their behalf, we plan to make the first drop off Thursday, September 4th.

Thank you for helping!

Join my office, along with Representative Napoleon Nelson's office, for a free document shredding and electronics recycling event! Clear your clutter and protect your identity at the same time.

We ask that you limit your shredding items to 3 brown paper bags or boxes. Our offices will also be collecting non-perishable food items for local food banks at this event.

Date: September 6

Time: 1-3 pm

Where: Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel's Parking Lot, 8339 Old York Rd., Elkins Park

** We cannot accept LARGE household appliances, light bulbs, monitors, TVs or any products that contain freon. Please see the flyer for a more extensive list. **

As of Monday, August 8, all Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) applications received by the SHARE office will be placed on a waitlist. At this time, there are no remaining vouchers available in Montgomery County for the current program year.

If additional voucher allocations become available this year, seniors on the county waitlist will be served in the order their applications were received.

Montco SHARE encourages seniors to reach out to the SHARE office each spring to learn about the upcoming program year and voucher availability.

For senior questions or more information, please contact Moncto SHARE at 215-223-2220 ext. 138. For a list of Montco food banks, click here.

My office has just received more information regarding SNAP and Medicaid benefits (this is an ever-changing situation, please keep checking the Department of Human Services (DHS) website for more information.)

Your benefits will not change without notice from DHS:

Beginning September 1, 2025, many adults will need to work 20 hours a week to keep their SNAP benefits. These work rules do not apply to people who meet an exemption. If you are not exempt or working 20 hours a week, you can only receive 3 months of SNAP in 3 years.

You DO NOT have to meet SNAP work requirements if:

You have a physical or mental health condition that reduces your
ability to work;
You are earning at least $217.50 a week before taxes;
You have children under the age of 14;
You are over age 65 or under age 18;
You are getting a disability benefit like SSI or SSD;
You are enrolled in school or training at least part-time;
You meet another exemption, like you are pregnant or receiving Unemployment Compensation.

If your health issue reduces your ability to work, your doctor must sign a medical waiver form. You MUST then submit a signed form to the CAO.

If the medical exemption form is not signed and submitted to the CAO before the end of November, you may lose your SNAP benefits.

How You Can Get Help: For assistance, contact your County Assistance Office at 610-270-3500, local community organizations, or our office at 215-517-6800.

Click on the image below for more information.

??? Save the Date: Monday, September 8, PA CareerLink Discovery Day

PA CareerLink® Montgomery County will host a Discovery Day for customers/career seekers to discover all the great partner services offered through the PA CareerLink® Montgomery County One-Stop network.

Customers will be able to take advantage of a free professional headshot, access a sample of career workshops, bring their resume for a live review, and get to speak with workforce partners at their vendor tables.

The goal is to bring attention to new customers unaware of the services CareerLink offers, but all customers are welcome!

Where: Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, 2W Lafayette St., Norristown, PA 19401

When: Monday, September 8th, 10am – 2pm

Registration preferred: https://bit.ly/CareerSeekerDay

HELPFUL INFORMATION AND LINKS:

SPS INFORMATION AND LINKS

Abington Township is maintaining and regularly updating a dedicated webpage on the SPS Technologies Fire. There, you can find the latest press releases, recordings of past press conferences, road closure updates, and more.
SPS Technologies has a dedicated and regularly updated website to provide updates and resources. You can contact them here with questions and concerns.
The EPA and DEP are continuing to monitor air and water conditions to ensure public safety. According to DEP, as of right now, the area surrounding the fire has been deemed safe. If conditions change, the public will be notified immediately of protective actions to be taken. Their dedicated webpage is being kept up to date as well.
For environmental health-related questions you can complete the Environmental Health Concern Form or call DEP at 717-787-3350.
Please make sure to sign up for emergency notifications via Ready Montco at readymontco.org if you have not already done so.