The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is alerting Iowans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that the ongoing federal government shutdown could delay or prevent the issuance of November benefits.
Late last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service notified states, including Iowa, to pause the release of November SNAP benefits until further notice.
Iowa HHS officials say they are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available. The SNAP program in Iowa serves roughly 131,000 households each month, distributing about $45 million in federally funded benefits.
To help prepare for potential disruptions, Iowa HHS has coordinated with food banks, pantries, and community-based organizations to ensure additional support is available for affected Iowans.
Once the shutdown ends, HHS will work quickly to process and distribute any delayed benefits. Officials also encourage SNAP recipients to keep their current cards during the shutdown, as they will remain active once benefits resume.
For ongoing updates and information, visit hhs.iowa.gov/snap