Little Rock, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Arkansans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) should prepare for a possible delay or disruption in their November benefits if the federal government shutdown continues, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) said.

A DHS news release said the agency is awaiting guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for administering SNAP benefits, and will provide updates as available.

“At this time, it appears that the shutdown may prevent November benefits from being issued on time,” the news release said.

DHS has been in contact with food banks and community partners to prepare for a possible gap in benefits, the release said, and advised Arkansans who receive SNAP to do the following:

1. Identify local food pantries, churches, and community organizations providing temporary food assistance. Locate food assistance resources by address, city or ZIP code here.
2. If there is a lapse in SNAP benefits, reach out to friends and family who might be able to temporarily help with buying food.
3. Those with accrued SNAP benefits from previous months are encouraged to use those funds now to buy shelf-stable foods able to last through November and potentially beyond. The release said the SNAP retail system may not allow purchases starting Nov. 1, even if people have funds in their accounts.
4. Check for food availability for oneself or family members through agencies like the Arkansas Department of Health’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, or through feeding programs in one’s local school district.
5. Check with DHS for updates on this developing situation, as information will be provided on the SNAP website.

“SNAP is a critical program that helps ensure families all across our state have access to nutritious foods, and even a brief disruption is problematic,” said DHS Secretary Janet Mann in the news release. “Arkansans have a history of coming together to help each other in difficult times. Please check on friends, family, and neighbors and donate time or money to food banks if you are able. Let’s do everything we can to support one another so that no family goes hungry.”  

The release added that the shutdown might cause delays in processing SNAP applications or renewals. However, SNAP recipients are told to continue to report any household changes, complete paperwork related to their case, and submit any verification documents if so asked.

DHS-administered Medicaid programs like ARHOME, ARKids First A or B, or others, are not expected to be immediately affected by the shutdown, as they are funded in Arkansas through the end of the year without requiring any additional Congressional action.

SNAP provides food assistance to eligible households to cover a portion of a household’s budget, and benefits are delivered through an EBT card to purchase eligible foods at participating USDA-authorized retailers. SNAP benefits are fully funded by federal dollars, and administrative costs are split between federal and state funds. As of Sept. 1, more than 222,000 individuals across more than 118,000 households received SNAP benefits.