As the Government shutdown continues, here is what you need to know:
The evening of November 9th, an appeals court ruled that the federal government must issue full SNAP benefits for November.
The current situation in Massachusetts:
- SNAP is issued over several days based on the last digit of each recipient’s Social Security number.
- SNAP clients who missed their normal benefit issuance day due to the shutdown had their benefits issued over the weekend. SNAP clients with a benefit issuance day the week of November 10th will receive their benefits on their normal day.
- All SNAP clients should have their benefits by Friday November 14th.
- People should continue to check their balances by calling the number on the back of their EBT card. Benefits for the month may first appear on EBT cards as “pending”. Pending balances cannot be used to purchase food.
- For more information and updates, see the DTA website >
- You only need one cent on your EBT card to keep accessing your Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) benefits. HIP benefits are not affected by the government shutdown.
- SNAP enrollment remains open. The DTA and the Food Bank’s SNAP Enrollment team are continuing to help people apply for benefits. Once you are enrolled, your benefits will begin when general benefits are restored. Call our SNAP team at 413-992-6204.
- When the government reopens or benefits are restored through other means, it is expected that SNAP benefit disbursement will continue as normal.
- This impacts everyone who receives SNAP, and is not related to other changes made to benefits in the July Reconciliation Bill.
- WIC, cash benefits, and school meals are still operating as normal.
What it Means for the Food Bank and our Region’s Food Assistance Network
During a prolonged shutdown, demand for food assistance is likely to increase. At the same time, the Food Bank continues to experience a sustained high demand for food due to the high cost of living and overall price increases.
This means more people may need to turn to their local food pantries, meal programs, and Mobile Food Bank sites. With the help of community volunteers, donors, and partners, we will do everything we can to ensure that families and individuals in Western Massachusetts have access to the nutritious food they need.
Resources Available During the Shutdown
If you or someone you know needs food assistance, we are here for you.
To support increased demand, we’re preparing for more visitors at our Mobile Food Banks. All mobile sites will have extra food to meet higher demand, and three sites will hold an additional distribution for the month of November. Supplies are limited, and food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. If we run out at a particular Mobile Food Bank, please know that other local resources are available and can be found on our Food Finder Map.
If you would like personalized support in connecting to resources, visit “Food Assistance Navigation” on the 413 Cares website, click “Contact”, and fill out a referral form, or call and leave a message for our Food Assistance Navigators at 413-206-6276.
Mass Legal Services and Senator Ed Markey have also posted resource lists and frequently asked questions about the shutdown.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to provide food to as many people as possible.
Our Network of Pantries and Meal Sites
View the directory of our food assistance network, where you can search for pantries and pre-made meals close to you.
Mobile Food Banks
Our Mobile Food Bank brings free, nutritious groceries directly to communities across Western MA. They are open to everyone and require no documentation.
SNAP
Our SNAP team helps people access benefits, and can tell you if you are eligible for SNAP and submit an application over the phone for you.
How You Can Help
Meeting this challenge requires all of us. Now more than ever, we need to stand united to ensure that no one in our region goes without food.
Here’s how you can take action:
- Donate to the Food Bank: Every dollar helps provide two meals to families facing food insecurity.
- Volunteer: Support local food pantries in your community and help get food to the tables where it’s needed most.
Our Food Assistance Navigators can help. Visit the Food Assistance Navigation page on 413Cares.org, click the “Contact” button below the green navigation bar, and input your information. You can also call our FAN phone line at 413-206-6276, leave a message with your information, and a Navigator will then be in touch the next business day.