Minnesota Officials Say SNAP Benefits Jeopardized by Government Shutdown

(Adobe Stock via Minnesota News Connection)

(By Mike Moen. Minnesota News Connection)  – As the federal government shutdown drags on, food assistance is on shakier ground and amid the uncertainty, Minnesota officials are announcing changes for new SNAP benefit applications.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families received word this week from the U.S. Department of Agriculture if the shutdown carries into November, there will not be enough funds to pay benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. And for households not receiving aid before mid-October, counties and tribal nations cannot approve new applications.

Sophia Lenarz-Coy, executive director of the hunger-fighting organization The Food Group, said it is not a minor disruption.

“It really is destabilizing to so many households and ultimately, is a demand that local charity is not remotely set up to meet long term,” Lenarz-Coy explained.