As of today, the Federal Government shutdown has lasted 24 days, which is affecting nutrition assistance programs across the country. Food benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for October are safe, but future SNAP benefits, including those for the month of November, are in jeopardy.
The USDA has instructed states to hold benefits until further notice. That means the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is currently unable to issue the approximately $27M of SNAP benefits that should go out to Nebraskans in November.
The USDA and Trump Administration are legally required to use a SNAP contingency fund to support November benefits across the country. They should use their authority to fund these benefits to prevent this unnecessary and avoidable crisis.
This is an incredibly challenging time for Nebraska communities. It is unconscionable that access to food is jeopardized in this shutdown fight. We are committed to sharing what we know as quickly as possible and will work to do so through email and social media.
FIND FOOD
November SNAP benefits are currently on hold. If you need food before your SNAP benefits are available, there are local resources that can help:
- Call the United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline in Nebraska for assistance finding free emergency food assistance throughout the state.
- Visit our Nebraska food bank websites for distribution info (Lincoln and Southeast Nebraska & Omaha, Northeast and Western Nebraska)
- Search “little free pantries (your location)” online to find community resources outside of formal food bank networks
TAKE ACTION
- Call our Nebraska members of Congress and urge them to tell the Administration to fund November SNAP benefits.
- Share your story of how the government shutdown is impacting you and your family.
- If you can, support your local food pantry and food bank with a monetary donation.