UPDATE – Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local SNAP Recipients

Published on October 30, 2025

SNAP food assistance program logo

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

MEDIA RELEASE • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kimberley Allen, Director of Social Services

O:(434) 392-3113

UPDATE – Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local SNAP Recipients

State Stepping in with VENA Program to Fund November Benefits

 

FARMVILLE, Va. (October 30, 2025)– The Prince Edward County Department of Social Services is providing this update to inform all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients of the latest news regarding November SNAP benefits.

 

On October 23, 2025, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency which enables the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide food benefits to those currently using SNAP until the federal government reopens. The state benefits program is called VENA (Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance). VENA recipients must meet the same eligibility standards that apply to SNAP recipients.

 

The Commonwealth of Virginia has provided the following answers to Frequently Asked Questions:  

 

1. How will the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) effort work? 

Current SNAP recipients (as of 10/29/2025) will receive a weekly comparable state-supported emergency food assistance payment based upon existing eligibility for the SNAP program. VENA benefits will be issued via the existing electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card that SNAP recipients currently hold. 

 

2. How often will benefits be issued?  

Starting, Monday, November 3, VENA benefits will be issued weekly, not monthly, in hopes the federal shutdown will end soon. Under VENA, 25% of a customer's monthly benefit will be issued on a weekly basis, so that in the event the shutdown ends sometime during November, normal distributions from the federal government will resume.

 

3. What days of the month will benefits be issued?  

Under normal issuance, SNAP households receive their monthly SNAP benefits at one time on the 1st, 4th or 7th day of the month based upon the first letter of their last name. VENA will be issued on a weekly basis on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday (according to the existing staggered issuance schedule).  

For example, if:  

  • A household that normally receives SNAP benefits on the 1st of the month, will now receive VENA benefits on Monday of each week.
  • A household that normally receives SNAP benefits on the 4th of the month will now receive VENA benefits weekly on Wednesday of each week. 
  • A household that normally receives SNAP benefits on the 7th of the month; will now receive VENA benefits weekly on Friday of each week. 

 

4. Where are the funds coming from? 

The State of Emergency allows the Governor to expend emergency funds under sum sufficient authority to protect the health, welfare, and safety of Virginians. Virginia has an available budget surplus to reduce disruptions in food access and ensure that Virginia’s families in need remain supported during the federal shutdown. 

 

5. How is this emergency initiative different than the existing SNAP program?  

SNAP benefits are funded entirely by the federal government. VENA is a state-run emergency relief effort. To recipients and retailers, this should operate similarly to how SNAP beneficiary households receive their monthly benefit. However, the backend coordination is complex and challenging to set up.

 

6. What about funds that localities typically spend on the administration of the SNAP program?

The administrative costs of VENA will be paid entirely by the Commonwealth, separate from SNAP.  The Commonwealth and VDSS are actively collaborating with localities and local departments of social services (LDSS) on managing the administrative costs associated with SNAP during the federal shutdown.

 

7. How long will VENA last?  

The Governor has publicly stated the effort should continue at least through November. This state-supported effort, distinct from SNAP, uses Virginia’s budget surplus to prevent disruptions in food access and ensures Virginia’s families in need remain supported during the federal shutdown. However, this is a stopgap solution: once federal funds for SNAP are authorized and released, VENA assistance effort will end, and SNAP benefits will be fully restored.

 

The County of Prince Edward offers the following supplemental information:

 

8. What should SNAP/VENA recipients do now?

  1. Conserve and stretch current benefits: Visit www.myplate.gov page on the USDA website to find tools and recipes to help stretch SNAP-eligible ingredients.
  2. Continue to monitor County communications, to include the County’s website and Facebook page for updates.
  3. Explore the community resources listed below.

 

9. Need Help Finding Food?

If you need help accessing food during this time, please contact the following local resources:

 

10. What Is the Local Impact in Prince Edward County?

  • Over 3,300 County residents, including many children and seniors, rely on monthly SNAP benefits.
  • About $520,000 of SNAP benefits are issued each month in Prince Edward County.
  • A pause in benefits could create additional hardship for families experiencing food insecurity.
  • Food pantries across Virginia are experiencing higher demand. Local donations and volunteer support are essential to help meet community needs.

 

11. How Can the Community Help?

  • Donate food or funds directly to local food pantries.
  • Organize a food drive at your school, workplace, community organization or place of worship.
  • Volunteer your time to assist with food distribution or outreach efforts.

 

For more information about VENA, please visit the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) website at: https://dss.virginia.gov/snapfacts/ where updates and detailed guidance on VENA will be posted.

 

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