Butler County residents react to SNAP shutoff
Diamond McCracken and her partner, Sarah Anthony, were receiving $291 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits per month.
But when the next expected payment came on Nov. 1, the two received nothing.
With the ongoing federal shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in October that SNAP payouts from November onward will not be paid until the federal government reopens and funds are released to the state.
There is still a possibility that SNAP benefits may be paid without the federal shutdown’s end, however. On Friday, Oct. 31, two federal judges ruled that the Trump administration must use emergency reserve funds to pay out benefits during the closure.
Additionally, the state has been looking for ways to support its recipients through the freeze.
On Friday, Oct. 31, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a declaration of disaster emergency and announced the state is giving $5 million to Feeding Pennsylvania to be distributed to food banks.
Shapiro is also organizing a private-sector fundraising effort, which has raised more than $1 million for a state “SNAP Emergency Relief Fund,” a news release said.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, 14,460 people in Butler County receive monthly SNAP benefits, amounting to $3,077,410 in spending — an average of $212.82 per recipient.
It is unclear how long the government shutdown will last or when funds will be released, but, barring the state aid which does not meet the financial amounts the federal government provides, until that time, recipients will likely have to find other ways of feeding themselves and their families.
McCracken and Anthony also said that people on social media are suggesting recipients get a second job, but due to health problems, that is not an option they can explore.
“I have congestive heart failure and respiratory failure and diabetes,” Anthony said. “I can’t do this physically, and trying to get something remote from home is impossible.”
They said at times of need, the two have assisted others in making ends meet. This time, however, the two are unsure how much they will be able to help.
“When we’re able to, we’ll help whoever we’re able to help. It sucks knowing that someone we know is not going to eat dinner and their children are hungry. I hate it,” McCracken said.
She said she and Anthony would likely need to rely on food banks and other distribution programs, such as Butler Community Meal Ministries, to help fill the gaps in their needs until funds are released.
“I try not to unless we’re in a jam,” McCracken said. “Because if I can cook here, I’ll cook here. I don’t want to take from them.”
She said it's a “very scary time,” as she worries that if the shutdown goes on too long, people will consider more drastic measures to keep themselves fed.
“I worry about people starting to riot because they’re left with nothing at all,” McCracken said.
Another recipient, Edward Crawford, also said that he would not be shocked if desperation turns to crime, especially if the cutoff drags on.
“I really can see people going to the stores and just stealing to make ends meet,” he said.
Crawford, 46, said he just started receiving SNAP benefits three months ago, so he wishes he had more of a heads-up so he could have planned to get through the stoppage.
“I received no notice in the mail to this day,” he said. “If I had known sooner, I would have saved some. (Thanksgiving is coming.)”
Crawford said he is also trying to feed his two teenage sons while he is unable to work anymore due to health concerns.
“I worked my whole life, and (U.S. congressmen) are still lining their pockets,” he said.
Bonnie Eckenrode, 65, of Butler, said she is a recipient of both Social Security and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as she has a disability that makes her unable to work. She said without SNAP, she will be left with $33 budgeted for food.
However, the focus of her concern was for children who may feel the effects.
“How are people going to eat during this and what about the kids that rely on this?” she said.
Eckenrode said she is lucky to have access to resources in the city that allowed her to connect with a food distribution program that would deliver meals to her door. However, she said she is also worried about the ability for local resources to keep up with the heightened demand through the shutdown.
Charles Clingensmith, of Chicora, said he, his wife and their three sons will be hurting through the holidays to get food. For a family of five, Clingensmith said they received almost $1,000 a month. Without that, he said he’s not sure what he’s going to do.
“We struggle as it is and don’t need this from the government. We don’t know what we are going to do for the holidays if we can’t get our food stamps,” he said.
