Federal Shutdown Impact on Food Assistance

Carroll County residents who are currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food assistance benefits, will be receiving their February benefits early due to the Federal shutdown. Those customers who receive recurring food assistance benefits will most likely receive their February benefit sometime between January 16th through January 20th. Recurring benefit households will not receive food assistance benefits again until their March issuance date, assuming the shutdown has been resolved. it will be critical that customers plan accordingly and budget their food assistance to last until their March issuance date.

Those residents who are in the process of applying for food assistance or are re-certifying their case are encouraged to submit their interim reports and supply verification by January 20th, so that agency staff can process the cases for the February benefits to be issued. Applications and cases will be processed throughout the shutdown, but it is uncertain when benefits will be issued for cases not approved by January 20th. Currently there is no funding for SNAP benefits past February.

There are currently 1227 Carroll County households receiving SNAP benefits. Director Offenberger stated that staff will be authorized to work overtime to process as many cases and applications as possible so that customers receive their February benefits. It is critical that customers provide their verification and interim reports as soon as possible. At this time no other local JFS program is being affected by the Federal shutdown. The agency will notify the local food pantries about the current impact of the federal shutdown on SNAP Benefits as it is most likely that there will be an increase need for their assistance. Customers with questions should call the customer service line at 844-640-6446.