About 15% of people in Middlesex
rely on food stamp program
Full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were restored to 1,500 Middlesex County residents on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Middlesex County Social Services Director Rebecca Morgan said that starting in October SNAP recipients did not receive any or only part of their SNAP funds because of the United States government shutdown.
During the weeks that funding was unavailable the state of Virginia provided 25% of whatever the recipient normally received and the local Hands Across Middlesex provided food to those desperately in need, said Morgan.
“About 15% of our population in Middlesex receive SNAP benefits,” said Morgan. “These are benefits going to children and older adults who desperately need it and we are relieved things are for now back to normal.”
Morgan said that she has been told that even if the government shuts down again in January 2026, as has been predicted, full SNAP benefits are secure until Sept. 30, 2026.
“The recent agreement extends the Department of Agriculture’s SNAP funding through Sept. 30, 2026. Therefore there should not be any interruption to SNAP in early 2026 due to a government shutdown and EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards should continue to work as normal,” said Morgan.
Before the shutdown ended, the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors (MCBS) authorized County Administrator Matt Walker to write a letter from the board encouraging Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to totally fund SNAP recipients.
Although the letter was not sent because the shutdown ended, it speaks to the concern MCBS has. “This situation poses a serious fiscal and operational challenge for local social services agencies across the commonwealth,” wrote Walker.
“Without timely reimbursement, local departments — many of which operate on limited reserves — may be unable to meet payroll obligations, pay vendors, or maintain critical assistance and protective service operations,” he wrote.
“Given the potential severity of this disruption, I respectfully urge VDSS (Virginia Department of Social Services) and the administration to pursue immediate contingency measures to ensure the continued functions of local departments of social services throughout this one and any other federal shutdown.”
Walker said this week he is grateful the shutdown is over and SNAP funds have been restored but that the state needs to be proactive in predicting shutdowns coming in the future and to provide full SNAP funding when it happens again.
