DHS: Government shutdown may affect November SNAP payments

The Arkansas Department of Human Services is warning that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits could be delayed or disrupted in November if the federal government shutdown extends into next month.

DHS officials said Wednesday the department is awaiting further direction from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, and that the ongoing shutdown could prevent benefits from being issued on time.

The agency said it has contacted food banks and community organizations to prepare for a potential gap in benefits. DHS is urging SNAP recipients to identify local food pantries or churches that can offer temporary food assistance and to use any remaining SNAP funds now to purchase shelf-stable foods.

DHS Secretary Janet Mann said in a statement that even a short interruption in benefits could cause hardship for families and encouraged Arkansans to support local food banks and look out for one another during the shutdown.

The department said recipients should continue to complete paperwork and provide verification documents as usual. While the shutdown may also slow the processing of new applications and renewals, DHS said programs such as ARHOME and ARKids First will not be affected.

SNAP, which provides federally funded food assistance to low-income households, supported more than 222,000 individuals across about 118,000 Arkansas households as of Sept. 1, according to DHS.

DHS has been in contact with food banks and community partners to prepare for a possible gap in benefits, and is advising Arkansans who receive SNAP to take the following steps:

1. Identify local food pantries, churches, and community organizations that can provide temporary food assistance. The Arkansas Foodbank provides this helpful resource online for locating food assistance resources by address, city, or ZIP code.

2. Reach out to family and friends who may be able to temporarily assist with food purchases if there is a lapse in SNAP benefits.

3. If you have accrued SNAP benefits from previous months on your account, use those funds now to buy shelf-stable foods that can last through November and beyond. The SNAP retail system may disallow purchases beginning on Nov. 1 even if you have funds in your account.

4. Check with DHS for updates on this developing situation. We will share information on the SNAP website at humanservices.arkansas.gov/u/SNAP.