Starting on October 16, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are not being paid until the federal government shutdown ends and funds are released to Pennsylvania.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) will notify SNAP recipients when payments can resume and when to expect SNAP payments. Patients and recipients can access information about local programs providing assistance by calling 211 or by visiting Feeding Pennsylvania or PA Navigate. SNAP recipients should continue to complete paper and online renewals. Work requirements and limits for some SNAP recipients will take place on November 1.

To keep or become eligible for SNAP, recipients must meet work requirements of 20 hours a week or 80 hours each month of work, volunteering, or participating in an education or training program. These must be reported to fulfill the requirement. This applies to those between 18 and 64 years of age, those with no dependent children under 14 and are considered able to work. Those who qualify for exemptions must complete the Medical Exemption Form and contact a Caseworker.

A new analysis by KFF shows that an exemption in HR1’s (aka One Big Beautiful Bill) work requirements could offer relief to millions of Americans needing to work to secure health insurance through Medicaid but may have trouble finding a job. Under the law, Medicaid enrollees in counties where unemployment is at least 8% or 1.5 times the national unemployment rate could be shielded from the work requirement if their state applies for an exemption.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services selected Maximus to continue administering the Pennsylvania Enrollment Assistance Program for the next five years. Maximus currently assists eligible Pennsylvanians with health plan enrollments. Under this latest contract award, the population will expand to include Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients. Of note, Maximus will use AI-based training tools to support its digital customer contact center.

The Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center is excited to host opportunities this fall for health centers to network with prospective primary care provider candidates and maybe find your next hire. Registration for the Pittsburgh event, taking place Oct. 29 at 6:00 pm at Olive or Twist, is open. The cost to attend and exhibit is $200 per health center, which includes a dedicated table to display promotional materials and talk to candidates, free food and beverages, and the opportunity to network with potential candidates and explore partnerships with training institutions. We already have 25 candidates registered with new registrations coming in daily! Register by Oct. 15. Contact Caitlin Wilkinson, Director of the Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center, or Dorian Benjamin, Talent Acquisition Specialist, with questions.