Officials warn federal shutdown will affect SNAP benefits locally; Virginia to issue weekly payments and provide emergency food-bank funding

County staff warned the Madison County Board of Supervisors that the federal government shutdown is affecting food-assistance programs and other federally funded services at the local level.

Brian told the board that SNAP benefits administered through social services would be unfunded as of Nov. 1 if the shutdown continued. He said the state of Virginia planned to cover SNAP payments for the month of November using state operating funds and that the state would issue payments weekly rather than the federal monthly schedule; staff described that as converting a single monthly benefit into multiple weekly installments. He said the state’s stopgap approach would cost roughly $37 million per week while the shutdown continued and noted that pace is not sustainable if the shutdown extended.

Board members asked about whether individuals could receive duplicate payments if federal benefits resumed; staff said that outcome depended on later federal continuing resolutions or budget action and that it was not yet clear whether states would be reimbursed. Separately, a board member noted that Gov. Glenn Youngkin had provided $1 million to local food banks to strengthen local food distribution while the federal issue is resolved.

No formal board action was taken; the item was presented as information and discussion.