Federal Government Shutdown & Impact on SNAP for November - Update and Action Steps

Federal Government Shutdown & Impact on SNAP for November

We know you all have many concerns about the federal shutdown and its impact on November SNAP. We share your angst! Stay tuned for details on a rally (outside the State House) early next week! In the meantime, see letters from anti-hunger groups to the delegation and to Governor Healey here.

For updates and suggestions on what to share with SNAP households, keep an eye on MLRI’s SNAP Shutdown document. Feel free to share this document. Right now, DTA and SNAP are operating normally.

What needs to happen for November SNAP to go out on time? THREE options:

1. Congress resolves the Federal Shutdown by the end of October.
2. USDA agrees to release SNAP “contingency funds” to states. See Center on Budget and Policy Priorities blog post. USDA can also transfer money to SNAP to address the gap between the contingency fund and the total issuance amount, as it recently did with WIC.
3. If USDA fails to act, Governor Healey and the Massachusetts legislature should quickly fill the gap with state “rainy day” funds.

If federal or state funds are not available by the last few days of October, November SNAP issuance will be delayed. We hope that DTA will timely notify households.

What can you can do right now?

• Call family and friends in sister states to urge Republicans to end the shutdown and pressure the Trump Administration/USDA to fully fund November SNAP.
• Call the Governor and your State Rep and Senator to urge the state to provide Rainy Day funds if the federal government fails to act.
• Engage your local community orgs, municipal associations, health care providers in pushing for a federal or state solution.

SNAP Coalition meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 28th from 10-11:30 AM

Zoom link here. Agenda will include:

• The federal shutdown’s impact on SNAP and if/how DTA will communicate with households
• DTA implementation of the harmful Republican megabill cuts
• Investing in SNAP and DTA’s workforce: Positive steps - updates on staffing and supporting funds from the legislature
• Other updates/issues

We know a lot is going on - please join us for up to date information and action items!