EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — With the federal government shutdown now stretching past one month, El Paso County leaders are taking steps to help residents impacted by delayed SNAP benefits and missed federal paychecks.
On Monday, Nov. 3, El Paso County commissioners unanimously approved a response plan to address food insecurity across the County.
The plan directs the County Attorney’s Office to review possible legal action and instructs staff to send letters to Texas state leaders, urging them to use state reserve funds to help fill gaps in federal assistance.
“We’re in a moment of crisis right now, here in El Paso, especially with the recent suspension of SNAP benefits coming from the Trump Administration,” Commissioner David Stout said. “This is very scary for our community. I really felt the County needed to have a meaningful discussion about what role we need to play moving forward to make sure that nobody in our community goes hungry.”
The approved motion also authorizes the Community Services Department to launch the Temporary Electric Assistance Program (TEAP), a short-term utility-relief program designed to help households affected by the shutdown.
Stout said TEAP will run from Nov. 1 through Sept. 30, 2026, or until funding runs out.
Commissioners also voted to accept donations and directed the county administrator to form a community stakeholder group to coordinate the County’s response to food insecurity.
The plan also comes as the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed it will use nearly $5 billion in contingency funds to provide roughly half of November’s SNAP payments nationwide, following recent court rulings that allowed limited funding to move forward.
Local food-relief groups say the need is already growing.
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger is preparing about 10,000 emergency food boxes for families impacted by the shutdown, including around 1,500 boxes for civilian employees at Fort Bliss who have missed paychecks.
“We’re fighting not only these SNAP cuts now, but also a downturn in resources on the year and then additionally the government shutdown,” said Kris Yagel, interim CEO of the food bank. “So it’s all coming at once.”
County officials said they may use remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and County reserves to support local relief efforts as the shutdown continues.
Stout added that the County is coordinating with City leaders, school districts, and nonprofit partners to strengthen food and utility assistance programs across El Paso County.
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