WASHINGTON — With just days to go before millions of low-income Americans are expected to see a pause in federal food assistance, state governments are trying to find ways to fill the void.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — more commonly known as SNAP, or food stamps — is a key benefits program that serves more than 40 million people across the country. Now, the shutdown is threatening to temporarily suspend benefits, raising concerns over where millions of people who rely on the program will turn to for food.
The Agriculture Department said last week, in a message on its website, that payments would not be issued on Nov. 1, marking the first time in recent history that the program has been suspended due to a shutdown. The department also said in a memo that contingency funds “are not legally available to cover regular benefits,” a move that several Democratic governors have urged the adminstration to pursue.
Reached for comment on the future of SNAP, a Department of Agriculture spokesperson said, “We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats.”
“Continue to hold out for healthcare for illegals or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive timely WIC and SNAP allotments,” the spokesperson continued, referring to a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children.
NBC News reached out to all 50 states and Washington, D.C., to ask for potential contingency plans. Many states are pointing residents to local food banks, with some encouraging people to buy shelf-stable food to prepare.
But some governors are providing emergency funds to support food banks or directing their state’s National Guard to help facilitate donations, among other actions. Democratic leaders from 25 states also announced they would sue the Agriculture Department over the November SNAP suspensions.
We’d like to hear from you about how you’re experiencing the government shutdown, whether you’re a federal employee who can’t work right now, a person who relies on federal benefits like SNAP, or someone who is feeling the effects of other shuttered services in your everyday life. Please contact us at tips@nbcuni.com or reach out to us here.
Here are the states that have announced actions to help residents who are losing SNAP benefits. NBC News will update this list as more plans become available.
California
Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, deployed the state’s National Guard troops and California Volunteers — a state office that organizes volunteer efforts — to support food banks by helping to prepare food for distribution. Newsom is also “fast-tracking” about $80 million worth of state support to food banks, according to a press release.
About 5.5 million Californians use SNAP assistance, according to the governor’s office.
Colorado
Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, submitted a request to the state general assembly’s joint budget committee for up to $10 million in funds for food banks and pantries, his office said.
The governor’s office also submitted a request to extend previously approved funding for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which provides food for pregnant women and children up to age 5. The state also launched a “Feeding Colorado” initiative to encourage donations to food banks and set up a map depicting where SNAP users live.
More than 600,000 Coloradans use SNAP benefits, according to the state government.
Connecticut
Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, announced that the state would provide $3 million in emergency funds to Connecticut Foodshare, a nonprofit that supports food banks.
“While this $3 million in emergency funding will not fill the entire gap left by the federal government, it represents our state’s commitment to supporting our neighbors during this crisis,” Lamont said in a statement.
About 360,000 Connecticut residents will be impacted by SNAP delays, according to Connecticut Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves.
Hawaii
Hawaii’s Department of Human Services will launch a relief program to “provide eligible families with dependent children the opportunity to receive payment support for housing and utilities,” according to Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat.
Green said his administration will share more information about the program on Wednesday.
More than 151,000 people received SNAP benefits in Hawaii in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Iowa
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, asked the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to stay in touch with food banks “so that we are aware of their current inventory and their ability to increase food orders and distribution if necessary,” according to a press release.
About 131,000 Iowa households are eligible for SNAP, according to the release.
Louisiana
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, declared a state of emergency to respond to the impact of the government shutdown on SNAP benefits.
Among other steps, a state of emergency could allow the Legislature to authorize stabilization funds if two-thirds of its members agree. But it’s unclear if the declaration will lead to the state government providing direct relief.
More than 792,000 Louisiana residents rely on SNAP, according to the state of emergency.
Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, announced that the state would provide $4 million in new funding for food shelves. Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families expects most of the funds will be spent on buying food, according to a press release.
About 440,000 Minnesotans use benefits from SNAP and the Minnesota Family Investment Program, according to the governor’s office.
New Hampshire
The state said it is planning to work with the New Hampshire Food Bank to help SNAP recipients access food.
The food bank “will provide mobile food pantries specifically for SNAP participants,” a government website said.
More than 75,000 New Hampshire residents receive SNAP benefits, according to the state government.
New Mexico
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement that her administration was “expediting the $8 million we allocated for food banks”, an amount that she said is “only a fraction of the $80 to $90 million in monthly SNAP benefits New Mexicans rely on.”
460,000 people in New Mexico receive SNAP benefits, she said.
New York
Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, announced that the state would provide $11 million for emergency food relief. Days later, she announced that her administration would fast-track $30 million in relief funds, aiming to provide 16 million meals across the state.
Nearly three million New Yorkers use SNAP benefits, according to Hochul’s office.
Virginia
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, announced the establishment of the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance initiative on Tuesday.
The program will provide SNAP recipients with comparable state-supported funds, which will be sent to users’ electronic benefit transfer cards, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Recipients use EBT cards to access their benefits.
The funds will be sent weekly, starting Nov. 3, and are expected to last at least through November, the governor’s office said.
Youngkin also announced that an additional $1 million in state funds would be sent to Virginia food banks during this period.
About 850,000 Virginians receive SNAP benefits, according to the governor’s office.
West Virginia
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, said in a statement on Tuesday that his administration was launching a statewide donation drive to support food banks. Morrisey said the state had also “identified up to $13 million in funding to match private and charitable donations, potentially delivering $26 million in total food assistance statewide.”
He also said that he would direct the state’s National Guard “to support food banks, food pantries, and state agencies with logistics and distribution efforts to ensure vital assistance continues despite disruptions.”
Approximately 270,000 West Virginians receive SNAP benefits, Morrisey’s statement said.