LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Department of Human Services Secretary Janet Mann is cautioning that additional layoffs and diminishing program support will take place if the government shutdown continues.

Mann said if the shutdown is still in effect going into the Nov. 1 weekend, SNAP benefits will be disrupted and 34 additional DHS employees will be furloughed. If the shutdown continues through Nov. 7, she said, DHS will furlough a further 1,500 employees and temporarily close offices in the state due to a lack of federal funding, beginning on Monday, Nov. 10.

“The government shutdown has put enormous strain on many services we offer, and we are deeply concerned that important benefits Arkansans rely on will suffer as a result," Mann said. "First and foremost, this will be painful for the

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