New Hampshire SNAP Benefits Won't Go Out In November, Officials Confirm: Shutdown Update

NEW HAMPSHIRE — Granite Staters who receive federal food aid won’t get their November benefits as the ongoing federal shutdown continues, the Department of Agriculture announced.

The Department of Agriculture posted a notice on its website after the Trump administration said it would not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP, flowing into November. That program helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries.

“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA notice said. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued on November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats.”

Nationally, more than 62 percent of nearly 41.7 million SNAP participants are in families with children; 37 percent are in families with members who are older adults or disabled; and more than 38 percent are in working families, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

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The analysis of USDA Food and Nutrition Service data by the non-partisan research group that focuses on federal and state policies to reduce poverty and inequality also shows nearly 77,000 people in New Hampshire receive SNAP benefits. That is about 5 percent of the state population who depend on benefits to keep food on the table.

The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, is now the second-longest on record. While the Republican administration took steps leading up to the shutdown to ensure SNAP benefits were paid this month, the cutoff would expand the impact of the impasse to a wider swath of Americans — and some of those most in need — unless a political resolution is found in just a few days.

The prospect of families not receiving food aid has deeply concerned states run by both parties.

Officials in some states pledged to keep food aid flowing to recipients, even if the federal program stalls next month due to the government shutdown.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said last week that it had a contingency plan to assist Granite Staters who receive SNAP benefits.

The state is partnering with the New Hampshire Food Bank through the Bank’s mobile food pantry program and traditional food pantries located across the state. Upon approval by the Fiscal Committee and Executive Council, the Food Bank will provide mobile food pantries specifically for SNAP participants in locations identified by the State.

The Food Bank will also provide more food options to SNAP participants at traditional food pantries.

“I want to thank our partners at the New Hampshire Food Bank for joining us in this effort to ensure vulnerable Granite Staters get the food they need in the event this shutdown continues,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte said in a statement. “Now, politicians in Washington must get their act together and reopen the federal government so critical programs like SNAP and WIC can continue without disruption.”

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Lori Weaver said officials were working with community partners to “limit disruptions for people who are experiencing food insecurity and are committed to helping people connect with resources for food assistance until the federal government shutdown is resolved or benefits are restored.”

Women, Infants, and Children are expected to run at least until Nov. 7. If the shutdown runs into November, support will be paused at the Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Goodwin Community Health, Community Action Partnership Hillsborough & Rockingham Counties, and Southwestern Community Services.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Editor's note: This post was scripted by another Patch staffer, not New Hampshire's editor, for publication on New Hampshire sites.