Posted: | February 9, 2023 12:31 PM |
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From: | Representative Brandon J. Markosek and Rep. Stephen Kinsey |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Joint State Government Commission SNAP Study |
The nearly two million Pennsylvanians receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are facing a steep cut in their access to food in 2023. An increase in Social Security payments, which count as income for SNAP eligibility considerations, is leading to an average decrease of $40/month in SNAP benefits for 249,000 Pennsylvania households and kicking an additional 5,000 to 20,000 households off the program altogether. An end to SNAP Emergency Allotments provided by Congress throughout the COVID-19 pandemic will contribute to between a $100 to $175 decrease in monthly SNAP benefits for Pennsylvanians. These combined decreases in payments for Pennsylvania families will lead to households having to make tough choices between food and other necessities. Many, including children and the elderly, will go to sleep hungry. To address this, my resolution will establish a taskforce to study this issue with the assistance of the Joint State Government Commission and require a report studying the impacts of these cuts with recommendations for action to the General Assembly. Inaction in the face of hunger across our Commonwealth is not an option. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HR40