Officials warn SNAP recipients there’s ‘no guarantee’ of November benefits and little the state can do

(Oct. 24) State officials painted a grim picture of the impact of the federal government shutdown’s imminent threat to the food stamp program, which helps about 440,000 Minnesotans put food on the table.

“We are here with very heavy, heavy hearts,” said Irene Fernando, chair of the Hennepin County Board at a Friday press conference. She called the likely cutoff of aid “a devastating disruption.”

Commissioner Tikki Brown of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, which is responsible for the food stamp program in the state, said household costs have increased 25% from pre-pandemic levels.

“So the shutdown significantly increases risks to Minnesotans who are already facing incredibly tight budgets,” Brown said.

She said food stamp recipients receive an average of $6 a