Statewide Iowa (RI) — If you normally receive SNAP benefits from the state every month — here’s a heads-up — you may have to make other arrangements to find food for as long as the government shutdown lasts.
State officials say it’s possible 131-thousand Iowa households will not receive federal food assistance in November if the government shutdown continues.
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services officials say they’ve been working with food banks, food pantries and other organizations to prepare to provide additional support to those households. The State of Iowa had been preparing to distribute about $45 million from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program next month. Federal officials have notified all states not to issue those food stamp benefits in November. The latest data indicates that in July, about 270-thousand Iowans lived in a household that qualified for the benefits.
HHS officials say that once the government shutdown ends, they will work diligently to process SNAP benefits and make them available for use with the SNAP card. Individuals that currently receive SNAP should retain their cards even throughout the shutdown.
As the situation evolves, Iowa HHS will continue to provide updates as they become available. They tell us you can visit hhs.iowa.gov/snap to sign up for updates.
KIWA Staff Photo
