No food assistance for Minnesotans in November if shutdown persists

The federal government shutdown will soon begin to impact enrollees of nutrition assistance and other programs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provided notice to states that if the federal government shutdown continues into November, there will not be enough funds to pay November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

No new applications for SNAP benefits will be approved by the state after 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, until funding resumes. Counties and tribal nations can continue to review applications and work with applicants, but they can’t approve households for new benefits.

Additionally, the Minnesota Family Investment Program will no longer approve applications after Oct. 29. MFIP provides cash and food benefits for people with dependent children who have low income and limited assets.

"The loss of federal funding for benefits will cause more strain on our local food shelves and will create more food insecurity for Minnesotans," stated the Department of Children, Youth and Families on its webpage.

Counties like Crow Wing and Carlton are listing food resources for those who may be impacted by these changes.