PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 27 – As the absence of both a state and federal budget begin to be felt, state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. is urging area utility providers to consider a delay in requiring customer payments. The state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program is delaying applications until Dec. 3 contingent on federal funding. Compounding that problem, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is delaying their payments in November, meaning residents who rely on SNAP for help with groceries must now spend more of their earnings on food. Read more