A federal food aid program that helps about one-eighth of Americans buy groceries stands to be paused Nov. 1 because of the government shutdown — but Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) says he has found a workaround.
The governor declared a state of emergency today (Thursday), which he said will let him spend emergency funds to provide hunger relief to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which is set to pause payments at the end of next week.
“I refuse to let hungry Virginians be used as ‘leverage’ by Congressional Democrats,” Youngkin said in a press release. “I am declaring a State of Emergency due to the Democrat Shutdown to protect hungry Virginians in need.”
Youngkin didn’t detail how the state of emergency would provide food benefits to SNAP beneficiaries. Charlie Meng, president of the Arlington Food Assistance Center, expressed skepticism about how much the governor can help and underscored ongoing increases in the need for food aid in Arlington.
“I’d like to point out that the press release only states there will be funding but does not specify an amount or when it might be made available,” he told ARLnow. “I highly doubt any funds will reach Arlington County or AFAC. And, to blame the Democrats is laughable!”
The governor blamed “the shamelessness of Congressional Democrats — including every Democrat in our entire delegation — who refuse to pass a clean continuing resolution to open the Federal government” in declaring the state of emergency. He called on U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine to pass a continuing resolution to end the shutdown.
“The Commonwealth will provide food benefits until Congressional Democrats put the interests of Virginians in need ahead of their politics,” Youngkin wrote. “I thank President Trump and his Administration for their help as they continue to provide support to Virginians in need.”
Kaine was quick to push back on social media.
“Trump’s Big, Ugly Bill permanently ripped SNAP benefits away from tens of thousands of Virginians,” the senator posted on X in response to Youngkin. “You supported it. Since you care now, I’m sure you’ll join my call on Trump to use unspent USDA funds to pay for SNAP during his shutdown.”
Here’s what to know about the state of SNAP right now.
It’s not certain the program will be paused, but it’s looking likely
Lower-income families who qualify for SNAP receive debit cards loaded each month by the federal government that work only for groceries at participating stores and farmers markets.
The average monthly benefit is $187 per person. Most beneficiaries have incomes at or below the poverty level.
Time is running short to keep benefits flowing in November.
Congress and President Donald Trump could strike a deal to end the federal shutdown that started Oct. 1.
It’s also possible that the federal government will allocate money for the program even if the shutdown continues. The liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that about $5 billion is available in a contingency fund and is calling on the government to use that for partial benefits in November. It’s not clear if that’s being seriously discussed.
The USDA has not answered questions from The Associated Press about whether those funds might be tapped.
States have also indicated that there could be a delay in benefits even if a deal is struck to fund SNAP for November.
Other states say they have limited ability to help
Officials from Alaska, New Mexico and North Dakota have said that they’ve considered using state money to keep the food aid flowing but fear a federal government directive may make that impossible.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, told states earlier this month not to send information to the vendors who provide the debit cards because of uncertainty about whether the program would be funded in November.
Officials in the states say that federal control of the system appears to stand in the way of their attempts to fund the program on their own.
“Without action from USDA, I think it is highly unlikely that any states would issue November SNAP benefits,” Carolyn Vega, a policy analyst at the advocacy group Share Our Strength, said in an email. “On top of the technical challenges, states can’t shoulder that cost, especially with the risk it wouldn’t be refunded.”
Some states are announcing plans, but details have been scarce
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, said he was making it a top priority to make sure “seniors, individuals with disabilities, and children who rely on food stamps do not go hungry in Louisiana,” but he has also not detailed how.
New Hampshire officials announced a plan to increase access to food through food banks and mobile pantries. It would require approval of a legislative committee in the GOP-controlled state.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said this week that he would deploy the National Guard to help food banks. “This is serious, this is urgent – and requires immediate action,” he said.
Some states are encouraging stocking up and seeking other help
Some states are telling SNAP recipients to be ready for the benefits to stop.
Arkansas is advising recipients to identify food pantries and other groups that might be able to help, and to ask friends and family for aid.
It’s unclear whether any benefits left on recipients EBT cards on Nov. 1 will be available to use. Arkansas officials suggest people who have balances on their cards to use it this month on shelf-stable foods.
Missouri and Pennsylvania officials, on the other hand, expect previous benefits will remain accessible and are telling beneficiaries to save for November if they can.
Oklahoma is encouraging people who receive benefits to visit a state website that connects people with nonprofits, faith-based groups, Native American tribes and others that may be able to help with food.
Food banks could be the fallback for many beneficiaries
Separate federal program cuts this year have already put food banks that supply food pantries in a tough spot, said George Matysik, the executive director of Share Food Program in Philadelphia.
So dealing with an anticipated surge in demand could be tough.
Matysik said it’s especially acute for his organization and others in Pennsylvania, where a state government budget impasse has meant at least a pause in another funding stream. He said the group has had to cut about 20% of its budget, or $8.5 million, this year.
“Any time we have a crisis, it’s always the working class that feels the pain first,” he said.
In Arlington, Meng said that demand for food assistance is already on the rise and is almost certain to get worse.
A few weeks ago, our numbers jumped to over 4,000 families per week. Before the Shutdown, we were expecting to see almost 5,000 families by Thanksgiving. I am now certain the demand will increase to this level and most probably well exceed even those estimates.
Currently, there are over 5,700 households in Arlington who receive SNAP, the vast majority of whom are also clients of AFAC’s. There are also 560 families with referral to AFAC who are receiving either SNAP or WIC benefits who are not now coming to us. It is almost certain that these families will come to us immediately.
Most concerning is that we now have 7,203 households with an active referrals to us, 74% or 5,341 of those families came to us last month. This leaves 1,862 families who could come to us at any time. We expect a significant portion of these families in need will come, and everyone will be coming to us more often.
Vicky Bandalo, Director of Operations, has already begun notifying our suppliers that we expect to be making large, additional purchases in the coming weeks. Client Services, directed by Lily Duran, and our Volunteer Office, headed by Danielle Rampton, are already planning for additional volunteer shifts, expanded service hours, and potentially additional distribution sites.
I cannot understand why the Republican Congress wants to cause 41 million US citizens to suffer without food just as we are entering Thanksgiving and the Holiday season except out of a total lack of care or empathy for the most vulnerable of our neighbors.
