Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has authorized $150 million in emergency funding from the state’s budget surplus to keep Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits flowing through November, shielding roughly 850,000 residents from the fallout of the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The October 23 declaration directs the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) to use general fund dollars to sustain SNAP payments while federal disbursements remain frozen. Officials say the move ensures that more than $700 million in monthly food assistance will reach families without interruption.
Youngkin, a Republican, called the action “practical compassion,” emphasizing that Virginia’s strong fiscal position allows the state to step in where Washington cannot.
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“We will not allow gridlock in D.C. to put Virginia families at risk,” Youngkin said in a statement. “Our budget surplus means we can protect vulnerable households from missed meals and empty grocery carts.”
SNAP provides an average of $187 per person each month for groceries and supports about one in every eight Virginians, including more than 300,000 children. Analysts warn that even a short lapse in benefits could drive a 20% to 30% rise in food insecurity across the state.
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In Fairfax County, elementary school teacher Sarah Kim, 34, said the announcement brought instant relief.
“I was up nights figuring out how to feed my two kids if my benefits stopped,” Kim said while unloading her cart at a local market. “Now, I can finally breathe. It’s not politics, it’s about plates being full.”
Virginia’s action stands in contrast to several neighboring states now scrambling for solutions.
In Maryland, nearly one million SNAP recipients face “high risk” of halted benefits by November 1, according to the Department of Human Services. Gov. Wes Moore has pledged to explore emergency options but has not announced funding.
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In North Carolina, state officials have warned that 1.4 million residents could see assistance suspended if federal funds remain unavailable. Food pantries in rural areas report surging demand.
West Virginia, with roughly 300,000 SNAP participants, lacks a comparable surplus and is relying on temporary federal stopgaps.
“Virginia’s got the cash; we don’t,” said a Charleston food bank director. “It’s survival mode here.”
Youngkin’s decision mirrors a 2018 precedent when Virginia used surplus funds to bolster opioid treatment services. Policy experts suggest other states could adopt similar strategies if shutdown conditions persist.
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“It’s an entirely reasonable use of state surpluses,” said David Super, a law professor at Georgetown University. “The federal contingency fund was designed for emergencies exactly like this. States acting now are protecting their people.”
Anti-hunger advocates, including Feeding America, commended Virginia’s move as “proactive and compassionate,” though they note that only a handful of states maintain the fiscal reserves to replicate it. More than 30 million SNAP recipients nationwide could face disruptions if Congress fails to pass a continuing resolution before early November.
Virginia officials are urging recipients to continue checking their EBT card balances and report issues to local DSS offices. State agencies say December benefits will depend on federal action.
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As the shutdown enters its fourth week, lawmakers in Washington remain at an impasse over spending bills. For families like Sarah Kim’s, the uncertainty underscores how close many Americans live to the edge.
“This time, we were lucky,” she said. “But next month? Who knows.”
