Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, there will be no distribution of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has announced this suspension, impacting approximately 42 million SNAP recipients nationwide, including 169,812 individuals in Maine.
Implications of the Government Shutdown on SNAP Benefits
This disruption notably affects nearly 12.5 percent of Maine’s population that rely on SNAP benefits. Certain counties in Maine, such as Androscoggin, Aroostook, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington, report even higher dependency rates, with over 20 percent of their residents receiving assistance.
- About 75% of Maine’s SNAP households have at least one working adult.
- More than half of these households include a person with a disability.
- 43% contain an older adult, while over a third include children.
The average monthly benefit for a family of four in Maine stands at $572. Governor Janet Mills expressed concern over the situation, stating that many low-income working families depend on this essential food assistance. She criticized the government shutdown, linking it to failures in addressing health care needs for affected families.
Impact on Food Security and Local Economy
Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services emphasized the critical role of SNAP in ensuring food security and supporting health outcomes. The shutdown’s implications extend to food pantries across Maine, which are integral in providing community support.
What SNAP Recipients Need to Know
Currently, SNAP benefits loaded onto Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards remain accessible for food purchases. However, the FNS has halted new distributions until the federal shutdown concludes or further guidance is issued. Applications and renewals are still being processed by the Maine DHHS during this time.
To receive the latest updates, SNAP recipients in Maine are advised to sign up for e-noticing through My Maine Connection and ensure their contact details are up-to-date with DHHS. For additional resources, residents can reach out by calling 211 or texting their zip code to 898-211, or by visiting 211Maine.org for further assistance.
Penned letters from Senator Angus King to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture underscore the urgency of disbursing contingency funding to assist state agencies. This situation reflects a broader crisis affecting federal SNAP recipients across the nation, with no option for appeal at this time.
