State of emergency declared in Virginia due to concerns that SNAP benefits may run out in November

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A state of emergency has been declared in the Commonwealth of Virginia on Thursday due to concerns that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may run out in November.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared that Virginia is under a state of emergency due to potential SNAP shortage concerns. The declaration aims to protect hungry Virginians in response to the federal government shutdown now in its third week. The shutdown would cause SNAP benefits to run out starting Saturday, Nov. 1.

“The Democrat Shutdown will cause SNAP benefits to run out for over 850,000 Virginians in need starting November 1, 2025," Youngkin said. "I refuse to let hungry Virginians be used as ‘leverage’ by Congressional Democrats. I am declaring a State of Emergency due to the Democrat Shutdown to protect hungry Virginians in need."

The announcement comes a day after Rep. Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), along with Sen. Danica Roem (D-Prince William) and advocates and Virginians, called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to tap into a $6 billion contingency fund that could keep SNAP benefits going for nearly 800,000 Virginians.

“SNAP benefits for November won’t be issued if the federal government shutdown continues past Oct. 27,” warned Texas’ Health and Human Services Department.

This comes as a recent study called Virginia the 6th-most vulnerable U.S. state to a government shutdown.