Some 65,000 Vermonters who rely on food assistance may not receive it in November because of the federal government shutdown, the state’s Department for Children and Families announced on Wednesday.
“Due to the current lack of funding, Vermonters receiving benefits are encouraged to plan ahead and to stay up to date as more information becomes available,” the agency said in a statement. “DCF is committed to helping Vermonters through this uncertain time.”
Benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known locally as 3Squares VT, are distributed on electronic benefits transfer cards by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. Unless the federal government reopens, benefits won’t be available as anticipated on November 1. Money distributed in October can still be used, but DCF officials urged Vermonters to check their balance before making purchases.
It’s unclear whether the state would step in to fund the benefits, which amount to as much as $13 million a month.
The federal pause is the latest hit to the program. In July, President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act imposed stricter work requirements and revoked eligibility for certain immigrant groups.
Those trims pale in comparison to what the federal pause of the entire SNAP program will do. Food banks have been preparing for this possibility, but the increased demand will only add strain to the nonprofit organizations.