Perspectives

As Eligibility Rules Shift, New Resources Help Philadelphia Families Navigate Accessing Public Benefits

Date Posted:

August 18, 2026

Throughout Philadelphia, many families struggle with rising living costs and systemic barriers to economic stability. Programs like Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) play a foundational role in stabilizing families. These benefits reduce household stress, ensure access to food and medical care, and are linked to better health and educational outcomes well into adulthood.

Over the last two years, the federal funding landscape supporting these programs has shifted. In July 2025, Congress passed H.R. 1, a federal budget reconciliation law that introduced new eligibility requirements affecting low-income families with children.

Beginning in November 2025, SNAP implemented new work requirements for families receiving benefits. The new rules pose a significant risk of disenrollment, missed benefits, and deepened hardship. Similar requirements will begin for Medicaid recipients in Fall 2026. These changes will also impact immigrant and refugee families as their eligibility for public benefits has been significantly reduced.

These eligibility changes are complex, and Philadelphia families shouldn't have to navigate them alone. Demand for help accessing benefits is growing rapidly across the city, including in organizations that haven’t traditionally helped constituents receive or maintain the benefits to which they are entitled. A group of local organizations is aiming to make sure fewer Philadelphians fall through the cracks as new rules take effect.

WPF grantees Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) and Community Legal Services (CLS) along with The Pennsylvania Health Law Project and Just Harvest are convening a benefits access coalition including educational trainings for organizations across Pennsylvania. Trainings are for application assisters, social workers, legal aid groups, advocates, and others looking to learn more about public benefits eligibility and the ongoing changes. If you would like to participate or stay in the loop, please sign up via this page.

Additionally, Community Legal Services has created one-stop web hubs and a listserv for tracking Medicaid and SNAP changes and updates with information, flyers, and toolkits to share with families and community members.

CLS Resources: