Virginia families feel impact as federal government shutdown becomes longest in U.S. history

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The federal government shutdown has officially become the longest in U.S. history, and the ripple effects continue to be felt across the Commonwealth.

As the shutdown reaches day 36, VCU political science professor Dr. John Aughenbaugh said the stalemate in Congress reveals a deepening political divide that shows no signs of easing.

“It really does reflect the kind of sort of hyper-partisan nature of American politics today,” Aughenbaugh said. “In the past, members of Congress would be having negotiations on a pretty regular basis. Then they would be negotiating with the president’s budget team. That’s not even occurring.”

The consequences aren't just political, they're also personal for many Virginian families who've been feeling the strain.

According to a White House report, roughly 189,000 federal workers in Virginia are either furloughed or working without pay. The state’s 825,000 SNAP recipients are also facing delays in receiving benefits.

The United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg partners with more than 50 local nonprofits to provide food, housing and financial assistance to families in need. Barbara Couto Sipe, president and CEO of the organization, said United Way and its partners are seeing a major increase in families reaching out to Virginia's 211 helpline for support.

“There have been nearly 5,000 requests for food and housing supports in just the last 30 days in our region alone,” she said.

The helpline which connects callers with health and human services, has been flooded with calls since the shutdown began on Oct. 1.

“Over half of those are for housing and shelter supports, rent assistance being the biggest one,” Sipe said.

As the shutdown stretches on, Couto Sipe said the surge in demand continues to grow. According to United Way’s 211 data, there were 1,600 food requests last month. In just the first five days of this month, that number has already climbed to 2,400.

Aughenbaugh said without compromise in Congress, the shutdown’s local impacts could linger.

“Every day I’m increasingly pessimistic that we’re going to see this shutdown end anytime soon because they’re not even talking,” he said.

United Way said resources remain available for families in need, including food banks and financial assistance. A full list of local resources can be found at 211 Virginia.