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Food Benefit Distributions Remain Intact with a Declared State of Emergency
On October 10th, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) was notified by The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) that if the shutdown of the Federal Government continued, there would be an impact to benefits available through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Specifically, there would be insufficient funding to issue November SNAP benefits to recipients nationwide, even though October's benefits were already distributed.
SNAP provides benefits to individuals and families considered low-income as a means to supplement payment of their food costs. Only certain items -- produce, meats, bread, dairy, etc. -- are covered under SNAP benefits. Other items, like alcohol, tobacco, pet care, vitamins and medicines, are not covered. People with disabilities can apply for and receive SNAP benefits.
In anticipation of the potential disruption, VDSS began actively developing plans to address the possibility of delayed or suspended November SNAP issuances. On Tuesday evening, our Board of Directors approved action steps to help support our self-advocates with disabilities who receive SNAP benefits.
But, as of today (Thursday), Governor Youngkin declared a State of Emergency in Virginia, saying that the State will cover SNAP benefits distribution until the Federal Government shutdown ends. (Read more here.)
Currently, the Child Care program, Medical Assistance program, and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are not impacted. VDSS has not yet received official guidance from the federally based Administration for Children and Families (ACF) concerning November's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
As for Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), upon which many of our self-advocates rely for living expenses, per a release from the Social Security Administration to State workers, payments to all people who currently receive those benefits will continue with no change in payment dates.
We are continuing to monitor this situation and others which have developed in this time. We will continue to stand for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and caregivers. If you know a person with an intellectual or developmental disability who is experiencing food insecurity, or if you have any questions or concerns related to recent actions, please reach out to Diane Gallegos, Executive Director-Mission at diane@thearcofhanover.org, or call 804-798-2400 (PRESS 1).
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