Youngkin outlines state-funded program if shutdown continues to impact SNAP benefits

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- After a state of emergency was declared last week due to concerns that the government shutdown would cause Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to run out by November, Governor Glenn Youngkin has outlined a new state-funded program to help Virginians in need.

In a press conference held on Tuesday, Oct. 28, Youngkin explained that the state has prepared a parallel system -- referred to as Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) -- to provide citizens with food assistance if the government shutdown continues into November.

"This is not easy," Youngkin said. "We are creating a parallel food assistance program, or system, that, in fact, is going to step in where the federal government is not able to."

If the government shutdown has not ended by Nov. 1, Youngkin said the VENA food assistance system will begin on Nov. 3.

Virginia steps in as federal shutdown threatens SNAP benefits

The plan will deliver benefits to those with existing SNAP electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards -- meaning that the same group of beneficiaries that received benefits in October will receive VENA benefits in November.

Benefits will be funded to the cards on a weekly basis, which is a change from how SNAP benefits are usually distributed, once a month.

"We'll be doing it every week for as long as we can," Youngkin said.

In a similar way to how SNAP benefits would be distributed in staggered days at the start of the month, benefits will be incrementally given each week through the VENA program.

The first group of recipients will be given their benefits on Monday, Nov. 3. The second group will receive their benefits on Wednesday, Nov. 5. And the final group will receive their benefits on Friday, Nov. 7.

‘Are they trying to kill us?’: Virginians brace for potential SNAP shortage

To help make up for the delays in benefits that will be caused by the staggered distribution system, Youngkin said that an incremental $1 million will be going into the food bank system.

Funded by state surplus, the parallel benefits will total around $37.5 million every week.

Youngkin reiterated towards the end of the conference that VENA benefits will function almost exactly the same as SNAP benefits, with the only main difference being the weekly distribution instead of monthly.

For more information about the new system and to stay updated on changes, Youngkin advised impacted residents to visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website.