Texas families that rely on food stamps could see their benefits cut off if the federal government shutdown continues past Oct. 27, state officials warned. It remains unclear if people will still receive their November benefits should the shutdown end next month, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which is waiting on federal guidance.
El Paso County has 67,250 households that receive assistance from the Supplemental Food Assistance and Nutrition Program, or SNAP, according to the state’s August data. The average payment per household is $354, which families can use to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores and farmers’ markets.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, who represents El Paso, joined Democratic colleagues in a letter asking the Trump administration to release nearly $5 billion in contingency funding that would cover November benefits without delay.
“We urge USDA to use these funds for November SNAP benefits and issue clear guidance to states on how to navigate benefit issuance,” the letter reads. “Additionally, while the contingency reserve will not cover November benefits in full, we urge USDA to use its statutory transfer authority or any other legal authority at its disposal to supplement these dollars and fully fund November benefits.”
The Trump administration rejected the idea Friday.
If November SNAP benefits are delayed because of the shutdown, El Paso’s food bank expects to see an increase in families seeking emergency food assistance, said Kris Yagel, interim CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, in an email.
“Many of our clients are confused about how the shutdown affects SNAP,” added April Rosales, social services coordinator at the food bank. “They don’t always realize that federal funding decisions can impact their benefits. Once we explain what could happen after October 27 if the shutdown continues, they are understandably worried. For many families, SNAP is the only support they have to supplement their food each month.”
Why is the government shutdown happening?
Funding for the federal government expired Oct. 1 after lawmakers failed to pass a GOP funding bill. The Republicans’ proposed budget includes significant cuts to Medicaid, the government health insurance program that provides low-income people with low-cost coverage. Many Republicans also want to let Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies expire at the end of the year.
Democrats have so far blocked the budget from passing unless Republicans reverse Medicaid cuts and extend ACA subsidies. Democrats also proposed language that would block the president’s ability to freeze or delay federal funds already approved by Congress.
Many federal employees are working without pay as a result of the shutdown, the second-longest in U.S. history. Others have been furloughed.
“We have already seen federal employees and contractors here in line at the food bank, and more reaching out to us for help as paychecks are delayed,” Yagel said. “Many of these families have never needed food assistance before.”
Should people still apply for SNAP benefits and renew their status during the shutdown?
Yes. Health and Human Services also asks for people to continue reporting changes, following instructions and deadlines for renewing benefits.
Though payment distribution may be delayed, people can still apply for food stamps. Rosales said the food bank has helped about 80 families with SNAP applications since the shutdown began.
“What’s important to understand is that these are not just federal employees,” Rosales said. “Many are families who have recently lost hours at work or lost their jobs. They’re turning to SNAP because they’re trying to fill the gap and keep food on the table.”
Application processing times have made a notable improvement since whistleblowers sounded the alarm on delayed applications two years ago. For the upper Rio Grande region, which includes El Paso County, the state health department processed about 93% of SNAP applications and renewals within 30 days in August, the latest available statistics. Rosales said her team has helped get many applications approved within 24 hours.
What can El Paso families do to get help if their food stamps don’t come through?
People can call 211 to connect to local services and food assistance.
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger operates a main food bank in the Lower Valley and also distributes to the Kelly Center for Hunger Relief in Central El Paso, churches and schools. The El Paso Independent School District opened its newest food pantry at Irvin High School this year. Find the food bank’s distribution map online.
There are several other food pantries and meal distributions around town, including:
• University of Texas at El Paso: Available to UTEP undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday at UTEP Memorial Gym Room 105, 101 W. Robinson Ave.
• Food Not Bombs El Paso: Distributes meals starting at 2 p.m. Saturdays at Houston Park, 900 Montana Ave., in Central El Paso.
• Krishna Kitchen: Indian restaurant that distributes vegan meals from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at 10280 Montana Ave., Suite K, in East El Paso.
• You Eat I Eat: Provides warm meals from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8888 Dyer St., No. 412, in Northeast El Paso.
Disclosure: El Paso Matters CEO Robert Moore is the board chair for El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank. The newsroom’s policy on editorial independence can be found here.
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