With the federal government officially reopened, Vermont officials announced Thursday that state-funded emergency SNAP (3SquaresVT) benefits will no longer be needed, as federal funding for the food assistance program will resume as normal.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, states will begin receiving federal SNAP funds within 24 hours. Vermont recipients will see their benefits reloaded to EBT cards on Friday, November 14, with mailed notices expected to arrive Monday, November 17.
“Now that the federal government is back open, these essential benefits can continue as usual. But our work isn’t done,” said House Speaker Jill Krowinski. “While we’re relieved that Vermonters will no longer face uncertainty with SNAP benefits, it’s deeply disappointing that Congress failed to extend federal health care subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.”
The state’s Emergency Board — composed of the governor and the chairs of the Legislature’s money committees — met earlier this month to approve a contingency plan that would have used state funds to maintain food and heating assistance during the shutdown.
“While we’re relieved that federal SNAP funding will flow again, we remain frustrated that Congress has failed to extend federal health care subsidies, which will hit Vermonters’ budgets hard if they expire at the end of the year,” House Appropriations Chair Robin Scheu (D-Middlebury) and Ways & Means Chair Emilie Kornheiser (D-Brattleboro),said in a joint statement. “We’ll continue working with the Administration to safeguard Vermonters from the ripple effects of federal decisions.”