The federal shutdown may halt the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits beginning Nov. 1, the Journal-Opinion reports.
The Vermont Department of Children and Families issued the following guidance:
- If you have received your October 1 benefit, it can still be used and is not impacted by the federal government shutdown.
- If you are expecting to receive your November 1 benefit, unless the federal government reopens and authorizes November benefits, it will not be issued due to a lack of federal funds.
- If you were deemed eligible or approved for benefits after October 27, you will not receive your first benefit until the federal government reopens and authorizes additional federal funds to the SNAP program.
Some states are exploring whether they have alternative funding to continue supplying benefits, reports U.S. News and World Report. However, even if the State of Vermont opts to pay the benefits, restrictions imposed by the Trump administration on the federal vendor of SNAP benefits may make the use of Vermont’s 4Squares cards unusable at the Point of Purchase, Vermont Public reporter Peter Hirschfeld said on a recent VP broadcast.
But it’s not just the shutdown that will affect food aid. Under federal legislation passed earlier this year,
“In the coming years, the law will require states to pay a greater share of administering SNAP and could cause millions of Americans to lose benefits,” reports Stateline.
Some work requirements are set to be phased in and eligibility for noncitizens will end.