Update: The final deadline for the video contest passed on July 15th, 2026 and we are no longer accepting submissions. We’d like to thank everyone for their support and participation.
The Philadelphia Unemployment Project is asking for help to get the word out about new federal work requirements for SNAP recipients and how they can get help keeping their benefits (more details on the issue at the bottom of the page). If you want to help, you can produce and post a social media short to your preferred platforms and complete our contest entry form for a chance at a $500 prize. We’ve currently raised enough funds to provide one prize a month for 4 months.
This contest is co-sponsored by Weaver’s Way Co-op, Grace Baptist Church of Germantown, Welcome Church, PA Policy Center, and the Philadelphia Hall Monitor
How to enter
- Create your short video following the contest guidelines
- Post it on your preferred social channel. Make sure to use the hashtag #SNAPback
- Complete the entry form by the deadline for that month (If you aren’t selected as a winner, you do not need to reenter the following months. Previous entries will be reconsidered. However, you can create a new video and reenter if you’d like).
Contest Guidelines
- Format: Social media short-form video
- Tailor the length to your preferred platform
- Give an overview of the issue and how it’s affecting people who rely on SNAP (see below for more info on the issue)
- Talk about what people can do (respond to notices, appeal quickly if denied, contact PUP for help)
- Include link to PUP help form & phone number in the post description
- Post on your socials, Tag us in post and use #SNAPback
Contest Schedule
- Round 1 submission deadline: March 25th
- Round 1 winner announced: April 8th
- Round 2 submission deadline: April 22nd
- Round 2 winner announced: May 6th
- Round 3 submission deadline: May 20th
- Round 3 winner announced: June 3rd
- Round 4 submission deadline: June 17th
- Round 4 winner announced: July 1st
Prohibitions
- No one under the age of 18 may enter the contest.
- Entrants may only submit their own work and must certify that they have not taken others’ intellectual property.
- No staff members or board members of the Philadelphia Unemployment Project, nor their immediate family may enter. No contest judges nor their immediate family may enter.
- Entrants can only win a single time.
Click here to complete the contest entry form
Resources
https://philaup.org/web/new-work-requirements-to-qualify-for-snap-food-stamps/
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/snap-benefits-changes-pennsylvania-trump-20260218.html
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/snap/snap-work-requirements-abawds
https://www.epi.org/publication/snap-medicaid-work-requirements/
