The U.S. Department of Agriculture has informed Virginia officials that November 2025 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits cannot be distributed due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This suspension affects all SNAP recipients nationwide and is not subject to appeal.
In response, Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency and initiated the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program. The goal is to ensure Virginians continue to have access to food during the shutdown period.
According to city officials, the City of Norfolk and its Department of Human Services are working with state and local partners to provide information and support for affected residents.
Under VENA, eligible households will receive weekly emergency payments equal to 25 percent of their usual monthly SNAP benefit. For example, a household that typically receives $400 per month will now get $100 each week. These funds will be automatically loaded onto existing EBT cards, with no application required.
Emergency benefit disbursements are scheduled based on when regular SNAP benefits are usually issued:
– Those who normally receive benefits on the 1st of the month will get emergency funds on Mondays starting November 3.
– Those with regular issuance on the 4th will receive funds on Wednesdays beginning November 5.
– Recipients whose benefits are usually issued on the 7th will get emergency funds on Fridays starting November 7.
Weekly payments will continue throughout November or until the federal shutdown ends. Any remaining SNAP balance must be used before VENA funding can be accessed.
Residents are advised to use EBT card security features such as locking cards when not in use and avoiding self-checkout lanes when possible.
Local assistance is available through organizations like the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, which provides emergency food resources at www.foodbankonline.org.
For ongoing updates, residents can visit www.norfolk.gov/HumanServices or follow City of Norfolk VA on Facebook. They can also sign up for Norfolk Alerts via call, text, or email at www.norfolk.gov/alert.
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