CHASKA, MINN. — The ongoing federal government shutdown may significantly impact families and individuals who rely on food and cash benefit programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP).
Carver County administers both programs on behalf of the federal government using state systems. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that if the shutdown continues into November, funding for these programs will run out. As a result, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families will be unable to approve or issue benefits for November.
SNAP
Beginning Oct. 16, pending applications for SNAP cannot be approved by Carver County Health and Human Services until further notice. If the federal government shutdown continues into November, the Minnesota DCYF will not issue November SNAP benefits to recipients. Carver County Health and Human Services staff processed as many pending SNAP applications as possible over the past two days before the deadline.
MFIP
County health and human services will continue to accept and process MFIP (food and cash) applications until Oct. 28. If the federal government is still shut down on Oct. 29, Carver County will be unable to approve MFIP applications and the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families will not issue November MFIP benefits to recipients.
RESOURCES
There are various resources for people to access healthy food in Carver County. County staff have compiled a list of community programs, food shelves, helplines and other organizations that offer assistance.
For a comprehensive list of agencies and organizations, visit these webpages:
People can also contact the Minnesota Food Helpline at 888-711-1151, or United Way at 2-1-1.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Carver County Health and Human Services will continue to accept SNAP and MFIP applications during the federal government shutdown. However, applications will be held, then processed following the reopening of federal government.
For the most up-to-date information on the impacts to SNAP and MFIP, refer to the Minnesota DCYF website.
For more information, visit carvercountymn.gov.
