As the federal government shutdown enters its third week, concerns are growing among state officials that Iowa residents will be unable to receive federal food assistance next month.This assistance includes SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Currently, 131,000 households across the state utilize SNAP benefits.

On Friday, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services announced that the federal Food and Nutrition Service had instructed state agencies not to issue benefits for November in anticipation of the shutdown continuing into next month.

HHS says once the shutdown is resolved, it will work to process benefits as quickly as possible. It also says that it has contacted local food banks and community organizations, such as the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP), to ask for assistance in offsetting the delay in benefits.

Washington County Public Health has shared a list of 12 food pantries located across Washington County. The full list can be seen on the attached image:

HACAP’s mobile food pantry will be in Washington and Iowa Counties in early November. The pantry will visit Marengo on November 3, Riverside on November 4, Brighton on November 6, and North English on November 11. HACAP Communications Director Chris Ackman described what the organization is doing to prepare for the possibility of SNAP benefits being delayed, “We’ve been stocking up, ordering food at a larger quantity than what we normally would preparing for an influx of what might happen should SNAP benefits go away.” 

Should the government shutdown hit 21 days at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, it would tie the second-longest shutdown in American history, which took place in 1995 under President Bill Clinton. The Senate attempted and failed to pass a budget for the 11th time on Monday.

To hear the full interview with Ackman, tune into today’s In Touch With Southeast Iowa Program.