By Guy Page
As the federal government shutdown threatens to halt food benefits next week, Governor Phil Scott said Monday that Vermont is prepared to join other states in suing the federal government if Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments stop after November 1.
In a separate action, Vermont House of Representatives’ leaders said they will seek to pay the estimated $3 million per week in benefits from reserve funds. The Emergency Board will meet Wednesday, October 29 at noon to discuss this proposal.
Governor Scott issued the following statement regarding access to SNAP, which in Vermont is referred to as 3SquaresVT and is delivered on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards:
“In the absence of the federal government acting to ensure that millions of vulnerable Americans have access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits they desperately need, states, including Vermont, are contemplating possible steps to support these vulnerable households and their families. These households include low-income families with children, veterans, older Vermonters, and individuals with disabilities.
“Even with state efforts, the lack of federal SNAP funding will disrupt the lives of over 63,000 Vermonters and could cause real harm. This is another area where there is bipartisan support for a lawsuit seeking to require the federal government to release contingency funding it has available for emergencies. I have directed my administration to work with Attorney General Clark to support a multi-state lawsuit.”
The warning comes as the ongoing federal shutdown raises the likelihood that funding for key assistance programs, including SNAP, will lapse. Without congressional action, payments to the states that administer the program will stop, cutting off access to food assistance for millions nationwide.
More than 63,000 Vermonters depend on SNAP benefits each month to help purchase groceries. State officials say that if federal payments are not issued, those funds cannot be distributed through Vermont’s EBT system, leaving families, seniors, and people with disabilities without an immediate safety net.
While Vermont has begun exploring temporary support options, Scott emphasized that the federal government bears ultimate responsibility for maintaining the program. His administration is working with Attorney General Charity Clark and counterparts in other states to coordinate a potential legal challenge aimed at forcing the release of emergency contingency funding.
The governor’s statement reflects growing bipartisan concern among state leaders nationwide. Several governors have said they are weighing similar action to ensure families continue receiving benefits during the federal funding impasse.
If Congress does not act soon, state agencies expect SNAP benefits to be interrupted starting next week. Food banks and local service providers are already preparing for an increase in demand if that happens.