State Government

SNAP benefits will pause November 1 if shutdown continues

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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.

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Categories: State Government

8 replies »

  1. States can not afford to take over this cost. Watch for more food being stolen from the stores. Comment from Richard Day.

  2. Democrats need to open government back up and resume snap for the legal citizens and not pour massive amounts of money into people here illegally .BYW celebrating an immigrant that came here legally and is a viable community member that became a legal citizen the way immigration was designed to happen .

  3. How much money will the food corporations loose with out the middle person using these payments????? Comment from Richard Day. Follow the money and where does it end up.

  4. Bring back the poor farms where the downtrodden help themselves by growing and processing what they need to live and all are given a job according to their abilities to do so, and they live in the farm, and learn how to be independent. Food stamps should be local so the freeloaders can be ID’ed…the last place the program should be is Washington .

    • I’ve been saying that for a long time. Another option is the Surplus food boxes the USDA would give out.

  5. We need to go back to the days of food boxes with cheese, peanut butter and powdered milk or change EBT into WIC list items only. You want junk food and steak? Budget better and learn the difference between want and need.

    • I agree but you will be told you don’t have the right to tell them what to do with your money.