PathWays PA Policy Blog

The government shutdown that began in December 2018 is now the longest in US history . Over 800,000 federal workers are missing paychecks, while millions more contract employees continue to go without work . The New York Times has an ongoing list of people and departments affected by the shutdown, including workers who have been called back to their government jobs to work without pay. CBS News reports that the shutdown has already done $1.2 billion in damage to the national economy.  You can find more information on the impact from the Coalition for Human Needs (CHN). Among those affected by the shutdown are SNAP (food stamp) recipients. While they received their February payments early , there is currently no guarantee that March benefits will be available. People relying on HUD for housing are also being affected, as over 1,000 contracts with housing facilities have not been renewed due to the shutdown. Take Action: CHN has information on the shutdown and a sample scr...

UPDATE (1/16/19): Many people are receiving their benefits BEFORE Friday. Please note - these are not additional or bonus. They are your benefits for February. If you live in PA and receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits, please read and share this message. You will be receiving your February benefits EARLY. Thanks to our friends at the Coalition Against Hunger for sharing this information. Download a flyer here . DUE TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, YOUR FEBRUARY SNAP BENEFITS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON YOUR EBT (PA ACCESS) CARD by the end of the day on Friday, JANUARY 18, 2019. These are your February benefits coming early – they are not a bonus. You WILL NOT receive additional benefits in the month of February. USDA has directed all states to issue February benefits early – you will not be getting additional SNAP benefits until March at the earliest. New applications for SNAP are still being accepted and processed during the rest of January and during February. Eligible applicants...

As of today (January 8, 2019), the government shutdown has gone on for 17+ days.  Over 800,000 federal workers in the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of Agriculture have been furloughed or are continuing to work without pay. And while these workers will likely collect back pay when government funding resumes, an estimated 4.1 million additional people who are contract employees for the federal government probably will not. Beyond those who work for the government, people throughout the country are feeling the effects of the shutdown . Funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has already run out, although states have kept the program going with their own money so far. If the shutdown continues into February or March, it is likely that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) will also run out of money. According to the Coalition Against Hunger ...

Volunteers are needed for Delaware County: Point-In-Time Street Count. As a street count volunteer, you will be asked to assist an outreach team canvass pre-determined locations for homeless individuals and families. This is a valuable opportunity for anyone who would like a better understanding of the homeless experience in our community. Date for Point-in-Time (PIT): Jan 23 and 24, 2019. Find posters and flyers here . If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer please email Farea Graybill at graybillf@delcohsa.org.