SNAP News as of October 24, 2025
November payments unavailable; new work requirements in effect
Rep. Greg Scott October 24, 2025 | 1:32 PM
SNAP: What You Need to Know
The federal government shut down on October 1, 2025 because our Republican-controlled U.S. Congress can’t pass a federal budget. The shutdown doesn’t only impact federal workers. It also means critical, federally funded programs can’t provide their services.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, is one of those critical programs. Just over 4,000 households in our district – over 4,000 of your families! – rely on SNAP to put food on the table.
But due to the federal shutdown, these households won’t receive a SNAP payment this November.
What Else is Different?
New work requirements also go into effect on November 1. Back in September, the federal government’s rules about eligibility and time limits changed, and PA became ineligible to offer waivers by county or municipality.
On November 1, the work requirements are changing again. SNAP recipients will still need to report on meeting the work requirements, which include working, volunteering, or participating in an education or training program for at least 20 hours per week. But who is required to report will be expanded so that more recipients must do it:
The expanded requirements apply if you:
- Are age 18-64
- Do not have a dependent child under the age of 14
- Are considered physically and mentally able to work
Being a veteran or a current or former foster youth no longer exempts you from work requirements.
I know these changes are worrisome and challenging. Here are some important things to know as we weather these changes together:
- SNAP benefits do not expire at the end of each month. If you still have money on your EBT card at the end of October, you will still be able to spend that money in November.
- Applications for SNAP and other benefits are still being processed, even during the shutdown. You should continue to submit case changes, semi-annual reviews, renewals, and report necessary work requirements so that when the government reopens, you won’t have further issues.
- You can use these statewide resources for food support and other resources:
- Reach out to the Montgomery County Assistance Office, Norristown District:
- Toll-Free: 1-877-398-5571
- Phone: 610-270-3500
- FAX: 610-270-1678
- 1931 New Hope Street
Norristown, PA 19401-3191 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F)
Please know that my team and I are always here to help. If you need assistance with your SNAP application, paperwork, or understanding of these new changes, please don't hesitate to visit my office at 1019 W. Main Street in Norristown or call us at 484-685-3494.
Pennsylvania can’t fix this problem for the federal government, but my team and I can do our best to help you through it.
