SNAP shut

Families in Wyoming who are dependent upon the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be receiving their February benefits early, but will not be receiving anything else until the end of the partial government shutdown. In a press release from the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requested states provide an early issuance of the February benefits to utilize available funding.

The press release also stated that it should be understood that the early issuance of benefits is not an additional benefit.

“Families who receive the early issuance will not receive another issuance in the month of February,” the release read.

Families who are expecting benefits will receive them by Jan. 20, meaning that DFS needed to process recertification by Jan. 15. Recipients with last names beginning with A through D will receive their benefits on Jan. 16, last names beginning with E through K will receive theirs on Jan. 17, last names beginning with L through R will receive theirs on Jan. 18 and those ending with S through Z will receive theirs on Jan. 19, 2019.

According to the press release, “DFS does not anticipate there will be any more SNAP funding available after the February issuance until the shutdown ends. DFS is encouraging people to donate funds, food or volunteer at local food banks and similar organizations that may see an increase of customers if the shutdown continues.

As of Monday, Jan. 14, the shutdown had entered it’s 24th day making it the longest government shutdown in history after surpassing the 1995 shutdown, which lasted for 21 days.