As an example, a family that usually receives $200 a month from SNAP should expect to receive $50 each week through the Virginia program.
Beneficiaries who usually receive SNAP benefits on the first of the month will receive the state funds on Monday each week. Households that receive SNAP benefits on the fourth of each month will receive them on Wednesday each week. People who receive SNAP benefits on the seventh of each month will receive them on Friday each week.
“The Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance effort will be very similar to SNAP–but is a complex, challenging solution,” Youngkin said. “However, we must ensure our most vulnerable Virginians are not without basic nutrition.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs SNAP, has said that benefits will not go out starting Nov. 1 unless Congress clears fresh funding. About 42 million Americans participate in SNAP.
The new Virginia program was made available by Youngkin’s recent emergency declaration ahead of the deadline, officials said.
Youngkin, a Republican, called on Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to vote in favor of legislation that would reopen the federal government.
The House of Representatives recently passed a stopgap funding measure, but it fell short in the Senate on Tuesday as Warner, Kaine, and most Democrats voted no.
Republicans control both chambers, but 53 senators are Republican and approval requires 60 votes.
Democrats want health care proposals, including a continuation of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, included in funding bills, while Republicans have been favoring bills that extend the most recent funding levels.
Other States
Other states have also taken action on food assistance.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, on Oct. 24 issued an emergency declaration that he said would help fund SNAP benefits for certain people.
Landry’s office has not yet released detailed information on how the funding will be distributed.
A sign alerting customers about SNAP food stamps benefits is displayed in a grocery store in Brooklyn, New York City, on Dec. 5, 2019. Scott Heins/Getty Images
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, said in an Oct. 27 statement that the state was sending $3 million to Connecticut Foodshare to help the nonprofit provide food to people who need it.
“While we recognize this funding cannot replace the full scale of federal SNAP benefits, it will help us to buy more food for agency partners and mobile pantries across the state over the next two weeks,” Connecticut Foodshare CEO Jason Jakubowski said in a statement.
That same day, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced $4 million in funding for Minnesota food pantries. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the expedition of $8 million in funding for food banks, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was speeding up $30 million for food assistance, on top of $11 million previously announced for food programs. All three governors are Democrats.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, said on Tuesday that the state has $13 million to match donations to food banks in the state, to which the state has already allocated $1.1 million.
As an example, a family that usually receives $200 a month from SNAP should expect to receive $50 each week through the Virginia program.
