BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced on Oct. 21 that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be temporarily delayed for Idaho residents because of the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service told the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) to pause issuing SNAP benefits beginning in November until federal funding resumes.

This delay does not affect Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, benefits.

Social Security and Medicaid benefits are also expected to remain in place.

While new SNAP applications will still be accepted, the DHW warns that customers could experience longer wait times at call centers and offices durin

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