Advocacy & Policy Updates
Breaking News: SNAP Interviews Waived!
In our last email, we reported that starting in April, all SNAP applicants would be required to complete an interview in order to be approved for benefits. We are happy to report that the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has received approval to waive the interview requirement, for both applications and renewals, until 6/30/24. This means that applicants will not need to complete an interview to receive benefits, and nobody will be denied benefits for failure to have an interview. If you receive a notice this month from DHS or your County Assistance Office stating that you need to have an interview, you can disregard it. Notices for the month of April were sent out before the interview requirement waiver was extended, and are now out of date.
If you have any issues with your SNAP interview or need help with your benefits, call our SNAP Hotline at 215-430-0556.
Expanded Child Tax Credit:
This week, we joined our national anti-hunger partners in a National Day of Action calling for the Senate to swiftly pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act.
Back in January, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed (357-70) the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. This Act includes an expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC), which would help low-income families put food on the table and lift thousands of children out of poverty. The proposed expansion of the CTC in this act is estimated to support 16 million children, including over 500,000 Pennsylvanians who are currently left out of the full credit, in its first year. Additionally, as many as 400,000 children could be lifted out of poverty in the first year of the expanded credit.
Despite bi-partisan House support, this Act has yet to pass the Senate. We urge the Senate not only pass the bill quickly, but also reject any harmful amendments that would weaken the Child Tax Credit provision.
