Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) has raised concerns about the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ (DHS) recent messaging on November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments. Heffley, along with 70 other House Republican members, sent a letter to DHS Secretary Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, calling for clear and nonpartisan communication about changes to SNAP benefits.
“It is disappointing the department chose to use an official state platform to cast blame rather than to simply inform,” said Heffley. “At a time when many families are struggling, Pennsylvanians deserve facts and solutions.”
Heffley noted that Pennsylvania’s state budget is more than 100 days overdue and that fiscal challenges remain unresolved. “It’s puzzling the department chose to focus on Washington politics while ignoring the real budget issues we face in Pennsylvania,” he said. “Now more than ever, we should be working together to solve problems.”
Heffley and his colleagues encouraged DHS to adopt a bipartisan approach in public communications and in addressing the needs of Pennsylvanians facing economic hardship. They stated that the Shapiro administration and the General Assembly should cooperate to ensure that assistance reaches those most in need, focusing on collaboration rather than political division.
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income households.
