Virginia Declares State of Emergency Over Potential November SNAP Benefit Shortfall

In a significant development, a state of emergency has been declared across Virginia due to growing concerns about the potential exhaustion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits come November. This preemptive measure was announced on Thursday, October 23, by Governor Glenn Youngkin, who cited the ongoing federal government shutdown, now stretching into its third week, as the catalyst for this urgent action.

Governor Youngkin expressed grave concerns that the shutdown could lead to a cessation of SNAP benefits, impacting the lives of more than 850,000 Virginians in need starting November 1. He criticized the current political stalemate, asserting, “The Democrat Shutdown will cause SNAP benefits to run out for over 850,000 Virginians in need starting November 1, 2025. I refuse to let hungry Virginians be used as ‘leverage’ by Congressional Democrats. I am declaring a State of Emergency due to the Democrat Shutdown to protect hungry Virginians in need.”

This declaration follows a concerted effort by Rep. Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), alongside Sen. Danica Roem (D-Prince William) and various advocates, who have urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to utilize a $6 billion contingency fund. Such an allocation could potentially sustain SNAP benefits for nearly 800,000 residents of Virginia.

The looming deadline is emphasized by a stark warning from Texas’ Health and Human Services Department, which stated, “SNAP benefits for November won’t be issued if the federal government shutdown continues past Oct. 27.” This situation underscores the critical need for resolution at the federal level to prevent widespread hunger among vulnerable populations in Virginia and beyond.

“SNAP benefits for November won’t be issued if the federal government shutdown continues past Oct. 27,” warned Texas’ Health and Human Services Department.

In a new conference on Thursday, Sen. Tim Kaine shared his support for Youngkin’s newly announced state of emergency declaration.

“I would be supportive of that,” Kaine said. “The reconciliation bill that the Republicans passed over my objection this summer made massive cuts to SNAP. That’s one of the reasons why I voted against it. I think efforts — any efforts — that can be taken at the state level that can help make sure that people who are food insecure don’t suffer, I support.”

This comes as a recent study called Virginia the 6th-most vulnerable U.S. state to a government shutdown.