Stakeholders, nonprofit leaders, and community-based organizations, representing networks that serve thousands of SNAP families and individuals in Southeastern PA attend a community briefing highlighting new SNAP work requirements hosted by Sen. Tim Kearney and Rep. Gina H. Curry on October 14.
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA – October 16, 2025 – State Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware) and state Representative Gina H. Curry (D-Delaware) convened a press conference and community briefing at Delaware County Community College—Upper Darby Campus on Tuesday to shed light on the newly implemented SNAP work requirements, which put tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians at risk of losing vital food assistance.
Sen. Kearney and Rep. Curry were joined by Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), state Senator Arthur Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), and more than 30 stakeholders, nonprofit leaders, and community-based organizations, representing networks that serve thousands of SNAP families and individuals across Delaware County and southeastern Pennsylvania.
The new federal rules, passed under the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” require many SNAP recipients aged 18-54 (without minor children ages 14 and under) to work, volunteer, or enroll in training for 20 hours per week (or 80 per month) and submit verification to DHS. If they fail to meet the requirements or submit proper documentation, they will become subject to a three-month time limit on SNAP benefits within a 36-month period.
“Here in Delaware County, more than 76,000 of my constituents rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families, said Sen. Kearney. “Even after these unnecessary and burdensome changes took hold, my colleagues and I want to ensure our constituents understand the new rules, so they don’t lose access to the critical support they depend on.”
During the press conference Christina McIntire, a SNAP recipient from Delaware County and local food pantry volunteer, explained how the stricter requirements are already creating fear and confusion, making it harder for her and the neighbors she serves to maintain stable access to food.
“The truth is, we are facing a crisis that has surpassed pandemic levels, and it is unfolding right before our eyes,” said Rep. Curry. “Families in the 164th District and across Pennsylvania are struggling to afford food, housing, and basic necessities. When we cut programs like SNAP, WIC, and senior produce vouchers, we are cutting into the very heart of our communities. These cuts don’t just hurt the hungry; they ripple through our economy, hurting local grocery stores, food distributors, and Pennsylvania farmers who depend on that spending. When we cut SNAP, we choke our local economy. This is unacceptable. We have a moral responsibility to protect and strengthen the programs that hold our communities together. This is about dignity. This is about health. And this is about justice.”
Pennsylvania officials estimate that nearly 144,000 SNAP recipients statewide could lose benefits under the new rules. In Congresswoman Scanlon’s district, more than 8,000 residents are projected to lose SNAP access.
“By gutting Medicaid and SNAP, in order to give their billionaire donors huge tax cuts, the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are creating a hunger and health care crisis for our country,” said Rep. Scanlon. “Let’s be clear that the cuts to SNAP and Medicaid are the result of paperwork requirements – bureaucratic red tape that is making it harder for millions of eligible Americans to get the help they need to feed their families and keep them healthy. This is an exercise in cruelty that will hurt our most vulnerable neighbors, including seniors, veterans, teenagers leaving foster care, and – most of all – American children. It will make our communities weaker and hungrier, and it should be universally condemned.”
Senator Haywood, whose office proactively mobilized several briefings to highlight these changes, echoed Congresswoman Scanlon’s sentiments. “These new SNAP rules are nothing more than red tape designed to knock people off the rolls and out of access to food,” said Sen. Haywood. “No one should lose their groceries because of paperwork. We’re doing everything we can to let neighbors know about these changes and empower community leaders to help families keep the food access they deserve.”
Hoa Pham, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Income Maintenance for the Department of Human Services, also spoke at the press conference and shared a detailed presentation outlining the forms required and the process for reporting volunteer, training, or employment hours to verify compliance.
“SNAP is an essential part of our health care ecosystem and our economy here in Pennsylvania. This program puts food on their tables that enables people to go to school, work, and live healthy lives with dignity,” said Deputy Secretary Pham. “These cuts will hurt some of the most vulnerable among us. The way to get through this is together. I am grateful for the leadership of our State Senate partners to help prepare their communities. We are committed to helping Pennsylvanians who need and qualify for SNAP keep those benefits, and I encourage anyone with family, friends, or neighbors who may be at risk to spread the word and help protect your community.”
Advocates and community partners, including George Matysik, Executive Director of the Share Food Program, and Desiree LaMarr Murphy, Founder of Murphy’s Giving Market, also discussed the impact of the SNAP cuts and what it means for the pantries they support and the families they serve.
“When SNAP cuts take full effect, pantries like ours will inevitably have an immediate impact without government funding or adequate support to keep food on our shelves or in the mouths of the most vulnerable,” said Murphy. “The pressure will be on food banks and food pantries, which is too high of a burden for us to face.”
Senators Kearney and Haywood, along with Rep. Curry reaffirmed their commitment to continue outreach to inform their constituents of the changes, ensuring that no one loses access to benefits they need.
Today’s event was another step in the broader Food is Dignity Tour, led by Senator Haywood, which continues across the Commonwealth to help residents adapt and prevent unnecessary loss of SNAP benefits.
The elected officials encourage current SNAP recipients to stay up to date with the requirements and periodically visit DHS’s online SNAP Toolkit website.
DHS SNAP Toolkit Website:
SNAP Toolkit | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
You can watch the press conference and community briefing here.
For more information about this press release, contact Senator Tim Kearney’s office at 610-544-6120.
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