Reduction in SNAP benefits could impact hundreds in Butler County
As changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program start Monday, Sept. 1, more than 500 Butler County residents could lose their usual benefits, according to the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.
Starting Sept. 1, most SNAP recipients between age 16 and 54 will have to prove that they are working, volunteering or participating in a SNAP-sanctioned education program for at least 20 hours a week to maintain their full SNAP allotment. The age maximum will increase to 64 starting Nov. 1.
“In Butler, 557 individuals are projected to lose SNAP benefits,” said Colleen Young, government affairs director for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, which is contracted to handle food distribution for Butler County.
Those who do not meet the requirements will only receive three months of SNAP benefits in a three-year period, unless they prove they meet an exception, such as for those who are pregnant or have a physical or mental health condition that makes it difficult to work.
An exception also applies to those who are taking care of a child under 18, although the age maximum will decrease to 14 starting in November.
In addition, SNAP benefits for most immigrants will be cut off starting Oct. 1. Previous work requirement exceptions for veterans and former foster youth will be eliminated starting in November.
These changes come following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last month by the Republican-controlled Congress and signed on July 4 by President Donald Trump. The bill is estimated to cut about $186 billion from SNAP funding through 2034. The bill aims to overhaul the food assistance program.
According to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, 15,775 residents of Butler County or about 8% of the population are enrolled in SNAP. This makes Butler County 1 of only 9 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties where less than 10% of the population is enrolled in SNAP.
Of that total, 8,016 are between the ages of 21 and 64.
As more individuals are unable to meet the eligibility requirements, their family’s grocery budget will shrink.
“For a household of four, if one parent does not meet the work requirements, then they will only receive SNAP benefits for a household of three, reducing the grocery budget for the whole family,” Young said.
Butler County Commissioner Kevin Boozel expressed concern about the potential effects on the county’s support system.
“It will impact low-to-moderate income families,” Boozel said. “It’s going to affect multiple layers. It’ll be a rippling effect and it may take years to settle down. I think our food banks are concerned that more people will be coming.”
Young expects that the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank will need to carry more of the load.
Until recently, Pennsylvania has been able to obtain a waiver for the previously existing work requirements for SNAP. The waiver was renewed in September 2024 and applied to 58 out of 67 counties. Butler County was covered under the waiver with the exception of Cranberry Township. Due to a change in federal law, this waiver will no longer apply and will expire at the end of August.
Young estimates the amount of Pennsylvania families losing their benefits this year may be more than all of the state’s food banks, including the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, will be able to handle.
“Across Pennsylvania, we estimate that the SNAP cuts will take 300 million meals off the tables of Pa. families. In comparison, all of the Feeding Pennsylvania food banks combined distributed 188 million meals last year,” Young said. “We will be looking to our community to help us ensure that we have enough food to support our neighbors in need.”
SNAP benefit holders who believe they may qualify for an exception to the new work requirement can call the Department of Human Services at 1-877-395-8930.
