CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, might not come through this coming November, that’s according to an announcement from Iowa’s Health and Human Services. The department says it is because of the ongoing government shutdown.
There are more than 131,000 households currently receiving these benefits each month. According to the Iowa Hunger Coalition, just in Linn County, there’s 22,374 individuals that used the SNAP program in August, that’s approximately 10,833 households. That totals $3,803,678 million residents received in benefits.
Luke Elzinga with the Iowa Hunger Coalition says though it’s not a large amount of money per person, it’s still money that can help with groceries.
“About $45 million that is coming into the state that is, you know, potentially not going to be coming on November first. And that sounds like a lot of money, and it is. When you break it down for households, it’s about $327 per household on average,” he said.
Elzinga says something like this has not happened before. In fact, during the previous government shutdown, these benefits were sent out early.
“It would really be an unprecedented situation and, I’m sure, unprecedented need,” Elizinga said.
The release stated that Iowa HHS has contacted food pantries and food banks to prepare for additional support while this is happening. Hawkeye Area Community Action Program or HACAP says they are trying to meet the needs regardless of what’s going on right now.
“We just purchased some extra food to try to keep inventory up through any sort of extended shutdown. Holidays are also coming up as well, so we’re trying to maintain the inventory so our pantry partners can receive a similar or an even greater amount of food from us,” Aron Brecht, the community food systems manager for HACAP, said.
However, Brecht emphasized the importance and impact that a program like SNAP can have.
“No program is as effective as SNAP is and that is the easiest simplest term that I can put it. Programs like SNAP and WIC do such an incredible job of providing our neighbors and need access to food banks cannot make up that difference. So, we really really hope that all the support to continue funding these programs comes sooner than later,” he said.
In addition to the announcement on Friday, Iowa’s HHS has said there will be restrictions on some food items starting January first and a local food pantry says these changes are just adding more burden to families that already have to stretch their income to meet their needs.
“Until we feed people at the very basic level and get people food and what they need so they can function and do what we expect them to do,” Raymond Siddell, the founder and director for Together We Achieve, said. “I don’t think that we are gonna see the result that we want.”
If you or anyone you know is struggling with food insecurity at the moment here are some places that provide assistance:
Hawkeye Area Community Action Program
Together We Achieve
Green Square Meals
Dining and Cooking