Partner Resources

Government Shutdown Partner Resources

The federal government shutdown is impacting people across the United States.

Congress failed to pass a budget before its October 1st deadline, causing a lapse in funding for federal agencies. This is the result of partisan disagreements over spending priorities, including a fight over healthcare funding. Without a new budget bill, federal agencies must shut down non-essential operations.

This is now the longest government shutdown in United States history. As the shutdown continues, families who rely on federal food assistance, including SNAP, will be left without the support they need.

These resources are intended for community organizations. If you are an individual seeking help, please visit our food resources page.

Jump to: Program Impacts | Resources for Families

Impacts to Federal Nutrition Programs

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

SNAP benefits are currently delayed. While the Trump administration has confirmed that they will issue partial SNAP benefits for the month of November, details about how much families will receive and when benefits will be issued hasn’t been determined.

Each month, SNAP helps to cover food costs for over 900,000 people in Washington, with an average household benefit of $322. With benefits delayed, families on SNAP will face significant hardship keeping food on the table.

Here’s what you should know:

  • According to USDA guidance issued on November 5, households will receive a maximum of 65% of their usual SNAP benefits. In many cases, the amount will be significantly lower.

  • Some national news outlets have incorrectly reported that all SNAP recipients will receive half of their usual benefits. In reality, SNAP benefits are calculated by subtracting a portion of a household’s net income from the maximum allotment for their household size. The USDA has reduced the maximum allotment by 35%, but other benefit calculations remain unchanged.

  • SNAP users should expect ongoing delays. It will take time for the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to implement these complex changes. DSHS has not yet announced a timeline for distributing partial benefits to households.

Here’s what the USDA’s current plan means for three Washington families:

Anna is a single mother who works part-time and has two children. She typically receives $410 per month in SNAP benefits. Under the USDA’s current plan, she’ll receive just $135 in benefits for November.

The Rivera family has three children. Their household of five typically receives $640 per month in SNAP benefits. In November, they’ll receive just $226.

Elijah is a single adult who works a seasonal job with variable hours. During the off-season, he receives $120 per month in SNAP benefits to help make ends meet. In November, Elijah will receive just $16 in benefits.

  • SNAP users can still spend their unused October benefits. SNAP retailers will continue to accept EBT payments, and EBT cards will continue to work at grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience store, farmers markets, and other retailers that accept EBT.

  • The SNAP application remains open. If someone believes that they are eligible for SNAP, they should still apply for the program — even during the government shutdown. When the government reopens, retroactive benefits will be issued. Benefits will be backdated to the date that the household’s SNAP application was approved.

Follow the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) webpage for official communication about SNAP benefits.

Other Federal Nutrition Programs

Other federal nutrition assistance programs remain largely operational. WIC benefits are currently funded through mid to late November. School meal programs continue to serve students as usual, though reimbursements to school districts may be delayed if the shutdown continues. Federal emergency food programs, including TEFAP, continue to fulfill pre-existing orders to food banks. These programs may be threatened if the shutdown continues beyond mid-November. For information about a specific program, visit our main Government Shutdown page.

Resources for Families

Hunger Free Washington is maintaining a resource page with alternative food resources for families who are impacted by the government shutdown.

While food banks cannot fill the gaps left by the federal government, they are one of the primary resources that families can turn to during the shutdown. Find a food bank in your community here.

Help families navigate the shutdown. Download and share resource flyers with your community: