Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro says SNAP recipients owed benefits should get them by Friday evening

Gov. Josh Shapiro said SNAP recipients who have not received benefits this month but were supposed to should have them by the end of the day.

Shapiro made the announcement Friday afternoon with Department of Human Services Secretary Valerie Arkoosh.

This comes after a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to find the money to fully fund SNAP benefits for November.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Federal judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits in November

“The moment we got that ruling, Secretary Arkoosh went into action, pushed that button and got the dollars flowing again,” Shapiro said.

The ruling was the result of multiple lawsuits, including one filed by Governor Shapiro against the Trump administration.

On Friday, the AP reported that the Trump administration asked a federal appeals court to block the judge’s order, even as at least some states said they were moving quickly to get the money to people.

Pennsylvania was one of the states to get ahead of it.

Shapiro said anyone owed SNAP benefits since Nov. 1 is expected to receive them by the end of the day.

The money is coming from the U.S. Treasury and not from Pennsylvania.

Shapiro said he is already working to fight the Trump administration in court if needed again.

His message to them was:

“The only thing you’re fighting for is to make Americans hungry.”

The Trump administration contended that Thursday’s directive to fund full SNAP benefits runs afoul of the U.S. Constitution.

“This unprecedented injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers. Courts hold neither the power to appropriate nor the power to spend,” the U.S. Department of Justice wrote in its request to the court.

Shapiro praised work done by Pennsylvania residents to help people in need amid the SNAP benefits lapse. He said millions of dollars in donations were provided to help feed people in need.

“This is the Pennsylvania way. We look out for our neighbors,” Shapiro said.

We will have full coverage on Shapiro’s announcement on Channel 11 News at 4,5, and 6 p.m.

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