SNAP benefits uncertain after Nov. 1
Ricky Padron moves a pallet of food at the Moses Lake Food Bank in January of 2024. With the government shut down at the federal level, food banks may see high demand from those who would ordinarily receive SNAP benefits, what was formerly known as “food stamps.”
FILE PHOTO
Whether or not SNAP benefits will still be available for Washington residents after Nov. 1 is dependent upon events in Washington DC, according to Washington Department of Social and Health Services officials.
MOSES LAKE — Whether or not benefits through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program will be available to Washington residents after Nov. 1 is still to be determined and is dependent on events in Washington, D.C. Those events are still unfolding, said Matt Reed, communications director for Fourth District Congressman Dan Newhouse.
“Nothing is concrete yet and it’s still very fluid,” Reed wrote in response to an emailed question from the Columbia Basin Herald.
Funding for the SNAP program primarily comes from the federal government through the US Department of Agriculture. The current Congressional impasse over funding the federal government is interfering with continuing SNAP funding, and some states, Washington included, have announced the loss of federal money would put November benefits in jeopardy.
“If the federal government shutdown continues, all basic food assistance benefits in Washington will end on Oct. 31. That includes federally funded SNAP benefits,” wrote Norah West, assistant director of communications and government affairs for the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, wrote in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald.
According to information on the DSHS website, SNAP benefits were provided to 21,691 people in the 13th Legislative District in fiscal year 2024. The 13th District includes most of Grant County.
In the Ninth Legislative District, which includes Adams County, 21,356 people received SNAP benefits in the same time frame.
Reed said the status of SNAP funding is still being determined.
“There are a lot of things going around DC about how to address the SNAP funding during the shutdown,” Reed said. “The way we understand is there won’t be any official notification until it is certain those funds won’t be available.”
Trump Administration officials are looking at options for funding the SNAP program even if the shutdown continues beyond Nov. 1, Reed said.
In a letter sent to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, and some of her Democratic colleagues said the USDA did have options and urged the agency to use them.
“The USDA has several tools available which would enable SNAP benefits to be paid through or close to the end of November,” Cantwell wrote.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said it’s up to the Trump Administration to find a solution.
“President Trump controls the White House and both chambers of Congress. It’s clear where the responsibility lies to keep the government running,” Ferguson wrote in a statement to the Columbia Basin Herald.
Josie Mendoza, who works for DSHS, said people can still apply for SNAP benefits.
“We are definitely taking applications, eligibility reviews, everything,” Mendoza said. “We encourage people to send those in.”
How long people might have to wait for benefits will depend on the resolution of the federal impasse, West said.
“When Congress and the President come to an agreement on the budget, food benefits will resume,” she said.
Federal legislative contacts
Have thoughts on the government shutdown and its impacts on you and your neighbors? Reach out to your federal legislator using the information below:
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell:
511 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
https://bit.ly/CANTWELLCONTACT
Phone: 202-224-3441
U.S. Senator Patty Murray:
154 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
www.murray.senate.gov/write-to-patty
Phone: 202-224-2621
Dan Newhouse
Fourth District Representative
460 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
newhouse.house.gov/contact
Phone: 202-225-5816
Michael Baumgartner
Fifth District Representative
124 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
baumgartner.house.gov/contact/email-me
Phone: 202-225-2006
Editor's Note: A list of local nutrition assistance resources, such as food banks, will be printed in Tuesday's Lifestyle section.
Whether or not SNAP benefits will still be available for Washington residents after Nov. 1 is dependent upon events in Washington DC, according to Washington Department of Social and Health Services officials.